In a proactive move by Colac livestock agents, the January weaner sales have been brought forward by a week to maximise buyer support and avoid clashes with other markets in the region.
While some of the annual calf supply has been sold in earlier pre-Christmas markets, Philip Douglas from Charles Stewart Dove said the agents expect similar numbers to previous years.
He estimates around 2500 steers will be yarded on Thursday, January 3, and 1500 females, including weaners, heifers, joined heifers and cows, will be sold on Monday, January 7.
“Although it has been a tough year overall, with a late autumn break and cold wet winter, regular rain and warmer weather in the past six weeks have really helped the season,” he said.
“Buyers can expect a quality yarding of weaners, we won’t have the huge weights of previous years.
“But the best calves will be around the 400 kilogram mark and I think we’ll see a lot of calves in the 330-360kg liveweight range.”
Mr Douglas is “quietly confident” the sales will go well and anticipates widespread competition from West and South Gippsland, Northern Victoria, southern NSW and South-East SA, along with plenty of local support.
“The normal backgrounder and feedlotters will also be on hand, represented by buyers from SA, NSW and the Wimmera,” he said.
“At our last store sale, 300kg steers made from 340-360c/kg so if we can get that we will be happy.”
