Wangaratta agents will hold a steer weaner sale on Wednesday, February 5 followed by a heifer weaner sale two days later on Friday, February 7.
Wangaratta Stock Agents Association president and Landmark livestock manager Daniel Fischer said the region was well-placed.
"Our southern Wanagratta area is probably as good as it's ever been feed-wise but it has dried off now," he said.
Despite the promising seasonal conditions, agents are anticipating a smaller yarding across the two sales, down on previous years.
"We've got a few farmers who have taken the opportunity to sell onto live export and with a better season some of our breeders will be taking the opportunity to retain a few more female calves," Mr Fischer said.
"We expect we'll have 2500-2800 steers on the Wednesday and on the Friday we'll have about 1500 heifers."
Mr Fischer said the sales typically attracted cattle within a 100-kilometre radius of Wangaratta.
"We're a bit concerned about the season as we move forward, the prime market has slipped and the hot conditions ... but the breeding and the quality of these cattle will stand up," he said.
"There's a lot of people pencil in this sale each year and will buy at this sale irrespective of the outside conditions we're dictated to.
"If we could strike a couple of inches of rain in the north given that we're one of the last weaner sales in Victoria, it will definitely work in our favour if we get a late break in January."
Bryce Eishold
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. Bryce is also the president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@stockandland.com.au.
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. Bryce is also the president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@stockandland.com.au.
