The heifer market was stronger than the steer market, at Yea’s recent store cattle sale, according to Rodwells Yea branch manager Adam Mountjoy.
In a yarding of 1390 cattle, unjoined heifers topped at $1200 per head.
Mr Mountjoy said grown steers met solid competition, similar to where the market’s been sitting.
He said heavier steers made 260-270 cents per kilogram.
“The bulk of the competition on heavier cattle, upwards of 350 kilograms, was met by four major feedlotters,” Mr Mountjoy said.
He said the market lacked confidence on the spring-drop, lighter, 220-300kg steers, as these steers became harder to shift.
The lighter steers made $750-$950/head, or 300-320c/kg.
“There was certainly a flat spot in the market for mid-weight, and light-weight steers,” he said.
But he said this was probably the first significant offering of young, spring-drop calves at Yea this year.
‘H Cameron’, Mansfield, sold 10 Angus steers at $1110.
‘Spacorp’, Mansfield, sold 13 Angus steers at $1070/head.
‘BJ&JA Ryan’, Mia Mia, sold 13 steers at $1000/head.
‘Estate PG Shaw’ sold 15 Angus steers at $750/head.
Mr Mountjoy said he was impressed by the competition in the heifer market.
Shane Creed, ‘The Grange’, Murrindindi, sold 19 2016-drop PTE heifers to a top of $1290/head, av $1218, and 11 2015-drop PTE heifers to $1040.
‘Yarnold’, Alexandra, sold Charolais-cross heifers, 440kg, at $1100/head.
‘J&R Walsh’, Alexandra, sold a pen of six heifers at $1010/head.
‘Maybrook Pastoral’, Woodfield, sold six Angus heifers at $920/head, and five Charolais heifers at the same price.
He said there was a limited number of cows and calves offered, but those that sold made good price.
Landmark had a dispersal of cows, with calves at foot, which made over $1800 per unit.
Rodwells sold 5x5 Black Baldy cows and calves at $1680/unit.
Mr Mountjoy said the offering was a “winter yarding”, which lacked a bit of of weight, but was to be expected.
He said conditions in the local area had been dry, but recent rain had been received.
“We got 20 millimetres of rain, which will help to green things up,” he said.
He said the market was similar to where it’s been sitting recently, with grass buyer competition drying up, and grain buying competition for winter building up.
The auction was conducted by agents Landmark, Elders and Rodwells, at the Yea Saleyards.
The next store sale to be conducted at Yea will be on the second Friday of May, 11 May, 2018.
Joely Mitchell
Joely started her career at Stock & Land as a cadet journalist in 2016. She is now the editor of the paper.
Joely started her career at Stock & Land as a cadet journalist in 2016. She is now the editor of the paper.
