THE number of yard weaned stock was up at the annual Wodonga weaner sales, with a premium received for those runs.
Cousins and neighbours Albert Oates, Glenwatha, and Marcus Oates, Living Springs, both from Indigo Valley, Vic, sold at last week's sale and noticed a large difference in their returns.
Albert Oates sold 21 Angus steers of Yamba blood weighing 357 kilograms for $1000 or 280 cents a kilogram, while Marcus Oates sold 28 steers of Murra and Witherswood blood weighing 402kg and made $1270 or 316c/kg. Marcus also made the top price of $1090 or 278c/kg for his best presented pen of 23 weaner heifers weighing 392kg made the top price of $1090 or 278c/kg.
While they were of different bloodlines, the other major difference was how they weaned. Marcus had yard weaned his stock, while Albert couldn't.
Corcoran Parker senior livestock agent Dave Meehan said there was definitely a premium for yard weaned stock.
"From a (Corcoran Parker) company point of view, we had a lot more cattle that were yard weaned ... and with the feedlot competition, it definitely paid," Mr Meehan said.
"There was definitely a premium for yard weaned stock ... about 20 to 25 cents."
Marcus said he had weaned for about three to four years.
"We focused on shade, water and keeping the feed up to them, and ensuring they are worked to quieten them down if necessary," he said.
"This year they were heavier and really quiet ... and this is the first time winning best presented pen (and topping the sale)."
Glenwatha turns to yard weaning ways
Indigo Valley local Albert Oates, Glenwatha, is looking at implementing new weaning methods in the future after noticing well presented yard weaned cattle made a premium at recent sales at Wodonga.
A shortage of facilities meant Mr Oates had previously not been able to yard wean his annual calf crop, but last week's Wodonga Blue Ribbon Angus Weaner Sales at the Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange (NVLX), Barnawartha, Vic, proved the method should be considered.
Mr Oates sold 21 Angus eight to 10-month-old weaner steers of Yamba bloodlines that weighed 357 kilograms for $1000 a head at 280 cents a kilogram through Corcoran Parker, Wodonga.
He noted there was a premium for cattle that had been yard weaned.
"They were treated with Piliguard and 5 in 1, but we didn't yard wean because we were short on facilities, shade and we need to re-fence," he said.
"Our weights were similar to last year, but I think there was a bit of a premium for the yard weaned pens."
New infrastructure including re-fencing will help the Oates achieve the goal to yard wean in the future.
"I won't do it unless there is enough shade for the cattle, so I will need to re-fence around the yard to make it bigger and ensure more trees are included to provide more shade," he said.
Selling at Wodonga for the past two to three years, Mr Oates was previously growing steers out and fattening them to be sold through the saleyards at around 18 months of age.
Mr Oates said they were conservatively stocked running a self-replacing purebred Angus herd of about 70 breeders.
"We are mainly autumn calving (March), with a small number in the spring," he said. "Angus really suit are part of the world in terms of the market. We are happy with the type and size we have now, and how functional they are.
"When I first came home in the early 80s the weaners were weighing 370kg to 380kg so we are pretty close to that. We don't want to get bigger or smaller so I buy my bulls depending on what I need to at the time."
The last few years have been tough with drought and fires ravaging Mr Oates' Glenwatha property.
"The feed has been getting tight, and our pastures are not in great heart due to two bushfires going through the property in previous years," he said.
"We are largely reliant on natural regeneration of pastures ... with a small amount of short term rye grass."
They also try and make their own hay, and buy in the rest of their requirements from proactive and good suppliers.
"We were lucky to get a hold of frosted wheaten hay of high quality to fatten the heifers on," Mr Oates said.
Mr Oates is also running a small number of Dorpers that he believes compliments the cattle well and are low maintenance.
