Early cattle sale for Orbost local

However, the exceptionally dry seasons leading up to this dry and hot summer has led Orbost farmers to offload stock.

One of these farmers was Derrick Faithfull, who along with wife Sue, had to sell their spring-drop calves at Bairnsdale on Friday.

It has been so dry, that stock water has become a huge issue.

“It was better to sell our Charolais steer and heifer calves now, while they are in very good condition,” Mr Faithfull said.

“It is not ideal to sell these calves now, but saving the cows is paramount.”

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Many Gippsland producers are coming to terms with this, and some started selling their older cows a few months ago.

The Faithfull’s calves sold very well. 

Their 69 steer calves sold for $500 and $600 to a South Gippsland buyer, but the sale was augmented by a very good sale of their heifers.

The Faithfull’s Charolais heifers were equally as good as their brothers, and this led to very good competition.

Selling their 49 heifers for $490 and $630 gave them a very good overall average.

Mr Faithfull was very pleased, as if they had tried to keep their calves, and it did not rain soon, they could easily lose condition, but more importantly, affect the condition of their mothers.

He is an agent for Sharp Fullgrabe, and services a wide area.

He has seen the best of the district at Cann River, where he said the grass is knee-high.

But with temperatures reaching 46 degrees last Friday, his faith in a good autumn break is fading.