With 2600 mixed quality cattle yarded for the regular Wodonga Special Store Cattle Sale, values continue to reflect the reduced numbers of cattle with quality, with increased interest in heifers lifting their prices almost on par with steers.
Paull and Scollard, Wodonga, agent Tim Robinson said the yarding was a “true store sale” with opportunities for restockers.
“The cattle presented in very good store order, with plenty of stretch and frame, but not a lot of condition,” Mr Robinson said.
“Buyers were purchasing on the potential of the cattle to grow out, and they will do very well when they go onto feed.”
Mr Robinson said the prices reflect a high cents/kg value but restockers could see it is all about putting weight on quickly, especially with the potential of a top spring.
“We are seeing heifer prices start to challenge steer values, and that is increasing competition across the board.”
Local restockers were particular active along with buyers from NE and central Victoria and the Riverina.
Indicative prices for weaner steers ranged from $1380 to $980, with older steers selling up to $1660.
Prices for weaner heifers ranged from $1110 to $910, with older unjoined heifers selling to $1420.
Cows with calves topped at $2380.
Frank and Pam McFarlane, “Bethanga Vale”, Bethanga, Victoria, sold 20 Angus steers, 10 mmonths, weighing 328kg for $1380, the McCormack family, Tallangatta, VIC, sold 17 Hereford steers, 8–10 months, weighing 313kg for $1210.
“It is an amazing price,” Mrs McFarlane said.
“Last year we got $3.33/kg, which was very good at the time, but these cattle have less weight.”
“These are the prices we neeed to survive, and they should have been getting them for the past ten years,” Mr McFarlane said.
Rodney Wolter, “Hillview”, Walwa, sold nine Angus steers, weighing 481kg for $1660, and Ian Douglas, Londrigan, VIC, sold 15 Hereford steers weighing 354kg for $1350.
Stuart Pitson, “Thugga”, Culcairn, sold 14 Shorthorn Angus cross heifers weighing 308kg for $1025, while Brian Fraser, “Heatherlie”, Tallangatta Valley, VIC, sold six Speckle Park heifers for $905.
Older Hereford heifers, 15-20 months and weighing 325kg offered by Don Cameron, Bowna, sold for $1110, with the Longmire family, Balldale, receiving $1420 for their pen of 21 Angus heifers weighing 399kg.
Strong interest in cows with calves kicked off the sale with Robert Bonacci, Whorouly, VIC, receiving $2325 for 39 Angus cows with calves and depastured to Angus bulls.
R.J Moyle and E.L. Webb, Tallangatta, VIC, sold 12 six-year-old Angus cows with calves and depastured to Jarobee bulls for $2380.
Ross Moyle said the “prices reflected the quality of the cattle”.
“We are only selling to reduce our numbers and build a bank of feed for our autumn drop weaners,” Mr Moyle said.
Wodonga-based agents, Brian Unthank Rural, Paull and Scollard, Peter Ruaro Rodwells and Schubert and Boers conducted the sale.
