The sniff of rain last Friday was enough to encourage a turnaround in the store market at Bairnsdale, where light cattle reached $150 to $200 a head dearer than the previous store sale.
Elders auctioneer, Morgan Davies, said all in all it was the “smell of a rain that turned prices around”.
“There were a couple of major feedlotters in attendance and also cattle that suited them, so there were three to four buyers competing on the same cattle,” Mr Davies said.
“There were also buyers there from Yarram and South Gippsland there as well.
“Last fortnight, people were dubious about speculating on the season, but this last sale was buoyed by confidence.”
In total the yarding was 2396, almost 400 head less than the previous sale.
Bill Wyndham and Co’s agent, Michael O’Callaghan, reported the market stronger, an average of $100 dearer thanks to strong support from buyers across Victoria, including feedlotters, as well as backgrounders who took stock interstate.
He said Dallas Golby sold eight Hereford steers, weighing an average 590kg, at $2850 a head, or $4.82/kg, while Batty and Valentine, of Swifts Creek, sold 15 Hereford and Hereford/Shorthorn steers, at an average 516kg, for $2860/hd or $5.54/kg, which he mentioned was “an outstanding result”.
Malcom Hines, Swifts Creek, had a big consignment of Maine Anjou cattle, 18 months old, which sold to strong demand, 14 at 460kg which made $2100/hd or $4.55/kg; 20 at an average 423kg at $2100/hd or $4.95/kg; and 17 at 407kg, making $2100 or $5.15/kg.
George Farmer, Ensay, sold 20 Black Baldy steers weighing an average 454kg which made $2250 or $4.97/kg, while Buchan Back Creek, Buchan, sold 20 steers weighing 355kg for $1910/hd; 20 steers at 344kg for $1860/hd and 18 steers weighing an average 305kg for $1680/hd.
Older Angus steers from Buchan Station, Buchan, weighing 393kg sold to $2000 or $5.08/kg with two yards of weaners, nine months old, 310-320kg, selling from $1850 or $5.77/kg to $1810 or $5.83/kg.
Nutrien East Gippsland Livestock’s Brad Obst reported several drafts of steers from the High Country were yarded
and met with strong enquiry, mainly from South Gippsland grass fatteners, with one consignment heading to far western Victoria.
Heavier steers from 450-500-plus kilos sold to $2880 with most selling between $2520 and $2690, or $4.75-$5/kg.
BJ and HM Sharp sold 21 heavier Angus steers weighing 572kg for $2880/hd pr $5.03/kg,
while GR and SE Stirling sold 11 Angus steers weighing an average 496kg for $2360 or $4.75/kg.
Steers 400kg-plus made to $2150 and up to $5/kg, while those weighing from 350-400kg sold to $1820, with the Hutton family selling 22 Hereford steers weighing 440kg, which made $2120 or $4.81/kg.
G and S Crisp sold 39 Hereford steers to a top of $2040 or $5.11/kg, while the Brown family of Kent Park sold a dozen steers at a 419kg-average for $2000 or $4.77/kg.
In the light category of steers, D Crossfield sold 14 head at 210kg for $1270, coming out at $6.02/kg.
Mr Obst said the heifer market also attracted strong enquiry, with the overall sale $50-$100 dearer than the previous store sale.
Heifers more than 400kg sold to $1990, weighing 429kg, or $4.63/kg offered by AF Sheridan and Partners, with the majority falling between $4.30-$4.63/kg.
Hereford heifers from 350-400kg topped at $1580, sold by Kent Park, and made between $4.30-$4.40/kg, while competition on
lightweight Euro-cross and Angus heifers, 200-300kg was very strong, trading between $4.80-$5/kg.
Thanks to Nutrien East Gippsland Livestock for reminding the community there are only three sales left before Christmas.
