A solid result was recorded at Yea’s spring-drop weaner sale on Friday, taking into consideration the current climate.
Rodwells yarded 2044 head, and most were steers, with the 1499 averaging $726 a head.
The 545 heifers offered averaged $525/head, bringing the mixed-sex average to $772/head.
This overall average is down $357 on the same sale last year, which averaged $1029.
The top pen of the sale was sold by Bill and Bub Kelly, ‘Abaluk’, Alexandra, whose pen of 22 Angus steers, 339 kilograms, made $1080/head.
Ms Kelly said it had been a struggle getting their calves ready for the sale, given the difficult season, but said they had held on really well.
“We’re going to be in trouble if we don’t get a big rain soon,” Ms Kelly said.
Julia and Scott McKay, 'Habbies Howe', Highlands, sold 161 steers, including a pen of 21, 308kg, that made $990/head.
Mr McKay said they had been dealt a “backwards season”, with a difficult spring but a good summer.
Rodwells auctioneer Adam Mountjoy said it was tough going once cattle dipped below 280kg.
“You could see that buyers were opting for cattle with a bit of weight and size,” Mr Mountjoy said.
“Anything 300kg or heavier made 300 cents per kilogram or dearer, while the lighter steer calves made 270c/kg.”
Ancona Station, Ancona, sold a pen of 24 steers, 285kg, at $800/head, while Cathedral Farms, Taggerty, sold a pen of 25, 281kg, at $740/head, and BM & MM Griffiths, Seymour, sold a pen of 20, 279kg, at $750/head.
Mr Mountjoy said there was more competition on the heifers, which only took up one-third of the yarding.
“The quality of the heifers was very good, we saw a fair bit of buying support there, particularly on the middle to top run,” he said.
R&S Baker, Caveat, sold 18 Black Simmental-cross heifers, 318kg, at $840/head, and then a second pen of 12, 278kg, at $830/head.
SR Shaw, Mansfield, sold eight Charolais-cross heifers, 309kg, at $820/head, while HS Cooper, Thornton, sold 15 Charolais heifers, 280kg, at $780/head.
Mr Mountjoy said local buyers were active, with the top end supported by feedlotters.
“We had a southern order from Tasmania, which secured quite a few loads and put a solid floor in the market,” he said.
“Western District buyers were also strong, and would have absorbed a couple of hundred calves.”
He said the quality of the yarding was impressive given the tough seasonal conditions vendors had dealt with.
“The presentation was excellent, you can’t fault the cattle,” he said.
“All we need is a decent rain somewhere to be able to get bigger prices.”