Live export orders may boost Omeo Hereford sale

Elders Omeo livestock manager David Hill said up to 1800 cattle was expected to be yarded at the sale, following the Benambra auction that morning.

"We understand there are live export orders currently operating and there's shipments they need to fulfill and that's a certainly for Hereford heifers," Mr Hill said.

"Traditionally from a Hereford perspective, you'd see Ensay, Omeo and Benambra as the flagship sales and that's not giving anything less to the Angus cattle.

"But compared to Angus feature sales they have in other areas, if you put these Hereford cattle together, I'd sale it would be as strong as those sales in the western district and the New England."

Mr Hill said the top calves could weigh up to 400 kilograms, with the average to range between 280-320kg.

"From where the restocking program goes on local supplies, we are probably one of the main feature sales prior to going into winter for spring supply so demand is going to be high," he said.

Peter Faithfull, Omeo, will vie to maintain the record for the post expensive pen of Hereford steer calves which sold $1730 five years ago.

Mr Faithfull will offer 240 mixed sex heavy calves.

"It's about the vendors and the producers, it's about the area and these sale that have been conducted for 80 years in March for the last eight decades," Mr Hill said.

A majority of cattle will be EU accredited and in the Greenham Never Ever program.

M Batty and M Valentin will offer 130 Hereford Shorthorn-cross calves while BJ and BM Flannagan will sell 120 Hereford mixed sex cattle. Colin W Scott & Co will sell 200 Hereford mixed sex calves and AC and NH Smith will offer 70 Hereford Shorthorn-cross mixed sex cattle.