Steer clear: Pakenham prices ease as crowds drop

Feedlot-weight cattle dropped in value by up to $150 a head, agents said, as grazier competition was limited during the 3200-head market.

Heavy steers above 500 kilograms made between 330-350 cents a kilogram on average while mid-weight steers ranged between 375-395c/kg as light, well-bred calves under 285kg sold for up to 450c/kg.

In-demand heifers made 350-370c/kg on average.

Nathan Gibbon livestock manager Nathan Gibbon said steers took a 10-20-cent drop on the previous sale.

"It was incredible the decrease in crowd. And cattle didn't quite sell as well in previous weeks," he said.

"But lighter cattle sold quite well because domestic processes and wholesale butchers are short on supply."

Agents said it was hard to gauge the effect the coronavirus had played on the market but indicated some vendors had sent their cattle to market earlier than planed due to the uncertain future.

About six feedlots were operating throughout the sale.

Landmark Pakenham livestock manager Andy Grant said there was a sense of "nervousness" at the start of the sale due to the low crowd.

"Once we got going the cattle were keenly sought after which was a relief a bit and those cattle with a bit of condition sold quite well," Mr Grant said.

"There were patches where it was a bit easier than a fortnight ago whereas last sale it was consistent the whole way through."

West Gippsland breeder John Heenan, Gainsborough, sold two pens of heavy steers, including a top pen of 25 Angus steers, 496kg, for $1910 or 385c/kg.

Alan Simpson, Pepperhill Trading, Willow Grove, sold 150 Angus and Black Baldy steers including one heavy steer, 635kg, for $1960 or 308c/kg.

Mahkwallok East Pastoral, Arrarat, sold three pens of poll Hereford steers including a top pen of 26, 391kg, for $1560 or 391c/kg.

Meanwhile, Melissa and Justin Ainsworth, Stradbroke, sold 22 Angus steers, 303kg, for $1320 or 435c/kg.

Mr Grant said light steers 260-270kg held their value, and in some cases increased in price, selling for more than $1200 a head.

However, there was less restocker demand compared to a fortnight ago.

"The butchers really stepped up with the heifers but I'm not sure if they're getting processed or going into a feedlot, but they are very sought after," Mr Grant said.

"Unfortunately we didn't see many breeders step up to the plate and buy them though."

L Read, Clematis, sold 20 steers, 239kg, for $1068 or 451c/kg followed by a pen of 27 heifers, 238kg, for $900 or 378c/kg.

Denjaetm Pty Ltd, Denison, sold 25 heifers, 255kg, for $940 or 368c/kg.

C Priestly, Koo Wee Rup, sold 17 heifers, 355kg, for $1340 or 377c/kg.

Elders Pakenham livestock auctioneer Michael Robertson said the sale was strong "considering the circumstances".

"Feedlot cattle and straight-bred steers and the heavier cattle were dearer in places," Mr Robertson said.

"A lot of our steers were 385-420c/kg for some high 300kg cattle.

"But the cross-bred cattle you'd normally see in a fat market or your vealers - the Limousin Charolais Angus-cross cattle - were probably a little bit cheaper on the day."

J Jackson, Yellingbo, sold six steers, 458kg, for $1740 or 379c/kg.

K King, Boneo, sold six steers, 462kg, for $1750 or 378c/kg.

W Anderson, Ellinbank, sold 22 Angus steers, 379kg, for $1420 or 374c/kg.

G Danks sold 17 steers, 412kg, for $1620 or 393c/kg.

H Middleton, Clematis, sold 18 steers, 413kg, for $1640 or 397c/kg.

R Farrell, Trafalgar, sold eight steers, 419kg, for $1560 or 372c/kg.

RH and HP Jones, Bayles, sold six steers, 414kg, for $1580 or 349c/kg.

Wiltara Farms, Clyde, sold 10 steers, 358kg, for $1330 or 371c/kg.

Ben White, Hoddles Creek, sold 19 Angus steer calves for $1070.

RA Jones, Glen Forbes, also 16 steer calves for $1100.

Zeng Family Trust, Yellingbo, sold 10 Angus calves for $970.

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