Cattle with polish and good breeding achieved solid prices at this month’s Yea store sale.
Agents said the large yarding of 2800 head was boosted by NSW producers from around Deniliquin and Hay, turning off stock, as the dry conditions continued to bite.
Elders Yea’s Ryan Sergeant said the first run of steers made around 300 cents/kilogram.
“That’s right on that feeder type of money,” Mr Sargeant said.
“In that first run, if they had polish, bloom and good breeding, they made very good money.”
Stock, which was in poorer condition, and lighter steers, came back in price.
“There was a lot of demand for Angus,” Mr Sergeant said.
‘Once we changed color, to the Herefords and Charolais, the demand really weakened off,” Mr Sergeant said.
“But as long as there is a bid of breeding behind the Herefords and Charolais, there is no reason why they should not make money.”
Koriella sold 18 Wirrunna blood 14-16month Hereford steers, averaging 334kg for $880, or 263c/kg.
In contrast, Campaspie Glen sold a pen of nine Campside Glen blood Angus steers, October-November 2017 drop steers, weighing 372kg, for $1130, or 303c/kg.
Keeyuga Pastoral, Glenaroua, sold 23 Lawsons and Pert Angus blood, July-August 2017 steers, averaging 363kg, for $1170, or 322c/kg.
Other solid sellers were Borsema, which offered four, August-September 2017, Paringa Charolais blood steers, weighing 368kg. They sold for $1015, or 275c/kg.
Rodwell’s Adam Mountjoy said while cows and calves were tougher in some places, quality stock made good money.
The leading steers made up to 280 cents/kilogram.
“Quality penned and better bred cattle made similar rates to what we have achieved lately,” Mr Mountjoy said.
There was significant buying depth from Gippsland, Tasmania, locals and north-eastern restockers.
Mr Mountjoy said buyers were looking to secure large offerings of cattle.
“The lead heifers made a touch over 220c/kg, but once we got into the lighter weight and bigger lines of cattle they exceeded expectations and made up to 250c/kg, so it was very much a satisfactory result.”
Mr Sergeant said prices tailed off sharply, for lighter steers.
“People are concerned about the risk of buying the little, lighter steers and paying more cents per kilogram for an animal which is not going to be ready for 12 months,” Mr Sergeant said.
“They are worrying about February and March next year, and don’t want to carry light cattle through.”
When it came to heifers, Mr Sergeant said the trend was reversed, with lighter stock picking up higher prices per kilogram.
Roberts Tasmania was active on the lines of heifers.
Their buyer, Warren Johnston, picked up most of the draft of eight to ten month old Box Creek Pastoral Reiland and Booroomooka blood Angus heifers.
Roberts bought 41 of the heifers, averaging 293kg, for $745 a head, or 254c/kg.
“There was a big demand for feeder heifers, 360kg and heavier, and lack of demand for 300-400kg,” Mr Sergeant said.
“Even though the quality was there, demand wasn’t quite there.”
He said Roberts was paying a higher amount, in cents per head, for the 240-280kg heifers, than those weighing 320-340kg.
“It was completely opposite to the steer job, so it was quite a strange market, in that sense.” Mr Sergeant said.
K & S Baker, Caveat, dispersed their herd of Black Simmental cows and heifers, selling a pen of seven 16 month old heifers, weighing 401kg, for $1020, or 254c/kg.
A pen of 11 x 11 Hereford cows and calves from Jarrahwood Park topped the monthly store sale, going to Jamie Beckinsale, Rodwells Mansfield.
The PTIC second calvers were from Mawarra and Red Hill bloodlines, depastured to sons of Lawson’s Incredible.
“It’s a good opportunity for people to buy an animal that’s got a calf at foot, to sell that calf in eight or nine months,” Mr Sergeant said.
“That’s a sixty per cent return on investment, which is pretty good trading,” Mr Sergeant said.
Jarrahwood also sold a pen of 12, 317 kg August-September 2017 steers for $880, or 277c/kg.
K & S Baker, Caveat, dispersed their herd of Black Simmental cows and heifers, selling a pen of seven 16 month old heifers, weiging 401kg, for $1020, or 254c/kg.
It was completely opposite to the steer job, so it was quite a strange market, in that sense.
- Ryan Sergeant, Elders
J Martin, Nulla Vale, sold 15, 343kg Angus and Angus cross Riga blood heifers, August-September 2017 drop, for $750, or 218c/kg.
Cathkin Station also had a pen of eight 12 month old Angus heifers, averaging 304kg, which sold for $600, or 197c/kg.
Mr Sergeant said feedlotters were quite active, supported by commission buyers and local agents, from Yea and Mansfield, as well as South Gippsland.
