There was buoyant bidding on a big yarding of cattle at Yea, thanks to the support of one of the biggest crowds seen at the selling centre since autumn, last Friday.
That’s according to Rodwells’ Adam Mountjoy, who quoted the sale as being a positive result for the vendors who contributed to the 2700 head yarding.
“There was solid support from lotfeeders at the top end of the steers, which made 290-300 cents a kilogram, and it kind of reversed the trend seen recently, with it getting dearer as the cattle got lighter,” Mr Mountjoy said.
“There were many examples there of young steers, 320-330 kilograms, equating to 330c/kg, which is a very solid result.”
He said heifers were similarly solid, but not as extreme as the steers.
“The majority were in that 240-260c/kg bracket, with the key lines of heifers up to 280c/kg,” he said.
“Lighter heifers sold well too.”
He said the big yarding, which would be the last run of spring-drop calves, came from an offload of stock.
“The focus will now go into the November offering of autumn-drop weaners,” he said.
He was impressed by the quality of cattle on offer, and said buyers must have been too.
“There were four lotfeeders operating, and for restocking, there was really good competition from the north-east and Gippsland,” he said.
“They might be starting to offload some heavier cattle and are now seeing the opportunity to get back in.”
The opening pen of the sale was 12 Angus steers, 464kg, by A Gasprini, Whittlesea; these sold for $1310 a head.
Marty Shaw, Murrindindi Station, Yea, sold 92 Angus steers and heifers, topping at $1010 for a pen of 20 steers, 351kg.
Mr Shaw was selling these two months earlier than normal because of the difficult season.
“Back in other droughts we fed a lot of hay, but it’s just not worth it, so we decided to destock this time around,” he said.
Geoff and Annette Pearce, Glenaroua, sold 104 Angus heifers and steers, to a top of $980 for 18 steers, 328kg.
Ms Pearce said they were “only just holding on”, as there was no more growth coming through at home.
Other steer sales included 15, 434kg, by L&K Drysdale, Yarck, for $1300, 20, 416kg, by BM & MM Griffiths, Seymour, for $1290, and 14, 328kg, by GT & AM Pearce, at $940.
Pam and Lynn Vearing, Glen Goulburn Poll Herefords, Epping, sold their annual draft of 20 cows and calves, at $1700/unit, topping the cow and calf market for the third year in a row.
Jim Liapis, Mulwa Park, Macedon, sold 69 steers and heifers, with his steers topping at $810, and heifers made $535; he was pleased with his steer results but expected more from the heifers.
Other heifer results included 21, 389kg, by A&B Parsons, Alexandra, for $1150, and 2, 347kg, by Glenn Innes Trading, for $905.