Western district livestock agents are preparing for a busy January with the upcoming week of weaner sales at Hamilton predicted to break price records for the second year in a row.
Widely regarded as the benchmark for calf quality and prices, Hamilton & District Stock Agents Association president Warren Clark, from Lanyon's, said about 13,500 head of calves would be offered in the Hamilton weaner sales, which had been consolidated into four market days.
"Although there have been a lot of cattle sold through this area already, the numbers should be up on last season's sales," Mr Clark said.
"It's been a wet, cold winter which probably hasn't done the calves the world of good, but the breeding is there and it will get them through.
"Most producers have started their weaning program now and are weaning onto really good feed and everyone's fodder reserves have been replenished, so the calves will present in very good order."
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He expected the top steers to weigh up to 380 kilograms, with the majority of calves averaging about 350kg.
"We might not have the weight that we've had in previous years, but the money this year is in the lighter calves," he said.
"All indications are that it is a feed-driven market at the moment, so prices could go through the roof.
"I don't think you are going to see prices under 600 cents a kilogram and the lighter calves will probably do 800c/kg.
"Everyone comes to a sale with a figure in mind, years ago it was $500 [a head] to buy a steer, then $1000 and last season it was $1500, so maybe this year it will be $2000.
"There's been plenty of tough years, so let's enjoy these current prices, it's great for the cattle industry and this region."
The independent agents will kick off the sales on Monday, January 10, at 12pm, with more than 4000 Angus steers, while Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions have combined to offer their steers and heifers (all breeds) on Tuesday, January 11.
Scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, is the independent agents' yarding of Hereford steers and Euro mixed-sex weaners, while on Thursday, January 13, they will offer about 3000 British-bred heifers.
