Western District cattle looking their best for weaner sale series

A fixture of markets will be held in the western district in the first week of January, with more than 40,000 cattle expected to be sold across the state in one week alone.

Sales at major centres including Hamilton, Mortlake, Casteron and Colac are expected to feature cattle in some of their best conditions ever seen, agents believe, largely thanks to a mild winter and bumper spring.

In some cases, producers have had that much feed they have struggled to manage the additional pasture, according to Nutrien Casteron manager Rick Smith.

"We've had a very good season and if anything you could make a case it's been too good in some cases because the grass has got away," Mr Smith said.

Weaner calves in the west of the state will be similar to that of the January 2019 series, with the overall majority expected to show slightly more weight and condition.

"Last year our lead drafts weighed 360-380 kilograms and that will be very similar next year," Mr Smith said.

Unlike previous years, agents across the western part of the state are predicting vendor-bred lines will present more consistently than previous years, eliminating the third and fourth runs of cattle seen in recent times.

"There won't be the lighter calves you've seen in recent years," he said.

Another major change to the weaner sales series will be the prices paid for young cattle, with some experts predicting cattle could be up to and beyond 200 cents a kilogram compared to 2020.

"Prices will remain in the 400c/kg range but how far north they will go, we don't know," Mr Smith said.

"The [Bureau of Meteorology] predicted it was going to start raining in late December and right the way through to February.

"If that is the case and we're driven by grass fever, we'll go well north into 400c/kg but if that doesn't happen I think weaner cattle will receive anywhere from 400-440c/kg."

The western district weaner sales series will start on January 4 with about 3500 mixed-sex calves offered at the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange at Mortlake.

Mortlake Stock Agents' Association president Matt Baxter said the calves offered at the sale would rival any previous lines sold at Mortlake in years gone by.

"Calves will be as heavy as they've ever been and that's purely season-driven," Mr Baxter said.

"The cattle numbers aren't around and I think going forward the demand for well-bred cattle is going to last."

Saleyards across the state noted the early sales of weaner cattle in November and December as producers capitalised on demand.

Mortlake was different, however, Mr Baxter said the notable, large runs of cattle would still be on offer.

"People breed towards these sales and run their programs around this time of year," he said.

"Compared to last year there will be a lot more interest from the north, both southern and northern New South Wales, and obviously south-east South Australia has had a bumper season so we expect to see them too."

But it is not just restockers who are expected to be on the fence placing a bid, with feedlots expected to play a more major role next month.

"There were feeder orders last sale but there was less weight in 2020 and obviously NSW didn't have the strength they will have next month so who knows what demand [will be]," Mr Baxter said.

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