FEEDLOT and restocker interest from four states led to a strong market and a record high of $1589 a head for Angus-cross European Union-accredited weaner steers at the Glen Innes blue ribbon sale last Friday.
The 2666 head yarding of 1898 steers and 768 heifers included lines of EU cattle which were booked in for the previous sale, cancelled due to wet weather.
Steers topped at 452 cents a kilogram and averaged 419.6c/kg, while heifers reached 425c/kg and averaged 376.2c/kg.
Guyra producers Sam and Ericka Ulrick, “Springfield”, had the top pen of steers. Their nine- to 10-month-old Angus-cross, EU-accredited, yard weaned steers with Dulverton and Glenavon bloodlines weighing 388kg and selling for 409c/kg. The Ulricks sold 81 weaners, averaging $1454.
The top pen of heifers was sold by Bob and Lorraine Emier, “Tanderra Park”, Glen Innes. The 10-month-old EU-accredited Angus heifers weighed 313kg and made 378c/kg, returning $1183.
A line of 11-month-old Angus steers from Anthony Lewis, “Hendersons”, Glencoe, were named champion open of EU-accredited steers. They weighed 82kg and sold for 412c/kg, returning $1574.
The champion EU-accredited heifers were a pen of EU-accredited and yard weaned Angus heifers with Speriby North bloodlines from Michael and Carolyn Gray, “Maiden Creek”, Wollomombi. The eight- to 10-month-old heifers weighing 257kg and sold for 425c/kg to return $1092.
The champion non EU-accredited steers were from Graham and Karen Baker, “Mosgiel”, Ben Lomond, and made 401c/kg. Weighing 354kg, they returned $1419.
John and Michael Grob, “Amarula”, Glen Innes, had the champion pen of non EU-accredited heifers. The 305kg Charolais-cross heifers made 306c/kg, returning $1100.
Colin Say and Co agent Shad Bailey, Glen Innes, said the yarding was the best quality line up of cattle he’d seen at the local sale, a reflection of good breeding and favourable seasonal conditions.
“Buyers came from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, with heavier weaners going to feedlots and their backgrounders in three states. Bullock finishers were very strong for EU-accredited steers and there was a definite 10 to 15 cent premium for all EU lines.”
The next Glen Innes weaner sale, for Hereford and crossbred cattle, is on April 21.
Ruth Schwager
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
