Hamilton store cattle returned a better than expected results at the first of the districts annual spring sales on Thursday.
Competing for an advertised 1800-head penning, buyers from South Gippsland, South Australia and most parts of Western Victoria competed with cattle also trucked to a western NSW feedlot.
LMB Linke auctioneer, Bernie Grant said most weights of well-bred Black cattle sold consistently between 280 and 300 cents a kilogram.
The older and heavier spring-drop steers, pushing 450 to 500kg, he said saw best sales top at about 310c/kg. Ardoon, sold 506kg Weeran-blood Angus steers, 506kg at 300c/kg while Comley Banks sold 444kg Toora West-blood steers at 312c/kg.
Mr Grant said: “None of the major feeder buyers were present but if they were, there were doubts, they would have matched the demand of graziers it was that keen and widespread”.
Asked if there was a premium for EU-accredited cattle he said there was but it wasn’t significant- perhaps five to 10 cents at most.
Mr Grant said prices paid for coloured cattle were off-pace of the Blacks as usual as most made 260-280c/kg.
“The balance of the yarding were weaner weights, 270 to 300kg, which saw the better heavier end of the Black steers sell mostly between 280 to 300kg, and Charolais from 270- to 275c/kg.
A small sample of lighter steers, about 250kg, made to 305c/kg.
Example sales included: The Hummocks, 120 Weeran-blood Angus steers, tops 335kg, sold to 293c/kg, the tops of 120 Dunkeld Pastoral Angus steers, 315kg sold at 302c/kg and the best of 35 Wannawong EU Angus steers, 340kg made 305c/kg.
The job was good and better than was expected” said JM Ellis & Co auctioneer, Jack Hickey.
“It was above expectation of most and significantly better than the market has opened this week, he said Monday.
The heifer market, according to the agents, was solid with those offering weight in high demand. Black heifers, with weight, made 250- 270c/kg while lighters, including Herefords, sold from 230-240c/kg.