Greenwood Livestock, Sale, held the first of their annual spring cattle sales last Friday, to a smaller crowd who purchased heavier cattle at firm to easing rates.
The Estate of AA and F Birss, Stradbroke, sold a pen of eight yearling Angus steers in forward store condition. Weighing 536kgs, these steers would normally be sold as fat steers, but the current climate won’t allow this.
These steers sold for $1580, and were just a little cheaper than the last sale one month ago. S Lazzaro, Sale, sold 14 Angus steers, 392kgs, for $1230, which was very similar to the last sale.
The yarding of 1012 head included numerous pens of younger, and lighter weight steers and heifers, which sold to little demand, and cheaper prices.
Competition varied with South Gippsland, Garrison feedlot, and a buyer from King Island, all having an influence in the sale.
There was a definite difference between the breeds with some Angus cattle selling better than others of the same breed, and other breeds. This left some vendors disappointed.
Unfortunately the Hereford and Shorthorn breeds suffered the most. Some yearling Hereford and Hereford cross steers sold from $855-$1135.
Hopfields Pty Ltd, Dutson, sold 7 Shorthorn steers, 350kgs, for $940, but their 111 lighter weight steers sold between $320 and $740.
A feature line of 120 well bred Hereford and some Angus-Hereford steers, offered by well known St Katherine’s Station, Giffard, sold from $490 to $880. These normally sell to solid competition, but not this time.
A direct contrast was the 72 Angus steers of R&K Telling, Woodside. These were of similar weight, except for a lighter tail end, and sold from $795-$1180.
The selection of heifers was only one third the size of the steers, and again here, the heavier heifers sold best. Prices were between $605 and $780 for these with a small number of yearling Angus heifers setting the pace.
Holleywoods Pastoral, Giffard, sold 35 Angus heifers from $625 to $670. The best of the lighter weight heifers was 18 Angus of R&K Telling that sold for $605.
After these, younger and lighter weight heifers sold between $210 and $480, most equaling an estimated 160-200c/kg lwt.
One offering of 5 Hereford cows and calves, which were in store condition, sold for $660.
