Like many cattle producers on the Mid North Coast, Shane Booth sold his weaners earlier than normal due to the dry season.
Despite being back 50 kilograms on condition, Mr Booth was grateful to a kick in the cattle market, which saw his steers, weighing 272kg, to a top of 278 cents/kg.
"We had to sell as we have new calves on the ground and you can't hang on to them forever," Mr Booth said.
"But I'm happy with the prices considering the season we've had as I'm not sure how long the market will stay up for."
Kempsey Stock and Land's first weaner sale for the year saw 1378 cattle presented including Mr Booth's offering of Simmental cross Angus weaners consisting of 18 steers and 16 heifers.
Buyers from North Queensland to Central Victoria competed strongly to see the market jump 20c/kg putting smiles on the faces of the large number of vendors present.
"In the lead up to our weaner sale we've had good rain after a slow season," Laurie Argue from Kempsey Stock and Land said.
"That rain has seen our normal fat sales 40c/kg dearer across the board, so we were happy to see another 20c/kg lift in the market, even heifer weaners were dear, which was a nice surprise."
Mr Argue said they held their weaner sale earlier than normal to get ahead of what expected to be a dry winter.
"Our sales aren't usually until May but the weaners were showing good condition for the season we've had and we have another good line up for the next weaner sale."
Mr Booth, who will be selling at Kempsey Stock and Land's next weaner sale on April 26, said if there was more rain out west in the New England region then the prices would rise again.
Meanwhile there were some excellent lines of heavier steers from 300kg to 400kg, and these sold particularly well, topping at 270c/kg, with most sales between 240c/kg and 268c/kg for the good quality British and Bos Indicus lines.
Steers from 200kg to 300kg saw price increases of 20-30c/kg on last week, with the best, a pen of Angus steers weighing 275kg, topping at 284.2c/kg. Most sales in this weight range varied from 245c/kg to 275c/kg.
A good quality line up of heifers between 200kg and 350kg saw spirited competition from Queensland, NSW and Victorian backgrounders, along with some feedlot operators. Prices climbed up to 35 cents on a week to week basis. The bell ringers in this range were a lovely pen of Charolais cross heifers, 235kg, which sold for 268.2c/kg.
Droughtmaster cross heifers, 308kg, sold to 261.2c/kg, while most of the heavier heifers sold from 210c/kg to 258c/kg.
- Kempsey Stock and Land's next weaner sale will be held on April 26.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
