WITH the Hunter Valley, especially around Singleton, still looking very good and likely to remain this way into spring, producers are hanging on to stock which reflected on the smaller yarding at the Singleton store cattle sale last Friday.
However, prices were very strong for the limited yarding with 30 steers and 53 cow/calf units included in the total yarding of 150 head.
Roger Fuller Pty Ltd agent, Jason Bower, said buyers came from both Lower and Upper Hunter areas and Mudgee along with very strong support from local buyers around Singleton region.
"Even though only a small number yarded, the overall quality was quite good," Mr Bower said.
Top price steers were Poll Herefords sold by Dillion and Sons, Dungog, at $1310. Weaner heifers made up to $880 and pregnancy-tested-in-calf cows sold to $1560 with an average of $1315. A line of PTIC Angus cows, five to eight years sold for $1580.
Nathan Thirkell of Bailey Property and Livestock, Singleton, said the sale was strong with many buyers from throughout the Hunter Valley.
"The season in the Hunter is very good," he said. "We picked up another 18 millimetres of rain about a week ago and there's more to come. So, producers are keeping their heads above water and enjoying a wonderful turn in conditions after a massive drought here.
"It's very promising and it looks like the season will kick on for some time yet."
Cows with calves sold to a top of $2700 and averaged $2170. A pen of Angus cows with Angus sired calves sold at $2320 while a small line Charolais-cross cows with calves made $2120 both sold by Roger Fuller Pty Ltd for the Hunter Valley Cattle Company, Gresford.
It's very promising and it looks like the season will kick on for some time yet.
- Agent Nathan Thirkell
Angus cows with Angus sired calves at foot made $2520 a unit.