RIGHT from the first pen in the 5020-head yarding, it was clear the bids would be higher than many vendors expected during the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange Annual Blue Ribbon Weaner Sale near Carcoar on Friday.
The sale's lead pen of 37 August/September-drop, 321-kilogram Angus weaner steers sold via Elders by David Mayne from Boorowa hit $1890 a head and from there it was clear to buyers they would need at least $1800 to be in the market for the heavier end of the weaner steers.
The quality of the predominantly Angus yarding was second to none and, due to a bumper season in the supply area, the weaners presented in excellent condition.
Ray White Emms Mooney agent Ben Emms, Blayney, said in an interview after the sale, with Brock Syphers from CTLX, that it was "as good a yarding as you would see anywhere".
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"It was a fantastic result for the vendors," he said.
"Prices ranged from $1650 for the little small calves through to $2000 for a cracking pen up around 350kg."
Mr Syphers said last year's average for the weaner steers was $960, while this year the average was a hefty $1800.
Scott Johnston from PR Masters Stephens and Company, Bathurst, said the heifer sale was outstanding.
"There was a definite push from people trying to buy heifers to join to put with a bull; there weren't too many heifers at all bought to fatten. I think there was a massive push for those looking for breeders," he said.
"There were a lot of heifers making around that $1800."
Mr Johnston said much of the buyer competition was local.
Breaking down the sale results, a limited number of weaner steers less than 200kg sold from $1130 to $1540.
The bulk of the 200kg to 280kg weaner steers made from $1580 to $1830, while those from 280kg to 330kg sold from $1675 to $1915.
Weaner steers more than 330kg ranged from $1770 to $2000.
Light weaner heifers less than 200kg sold from $1090 to $1430 and those from 200kg to 280kg ranged from $1395 to $1865.
The 280kg to 330kg weaner heifers sold for $1620 to $1930 and females more than 330kg were knocked down for $1850 to $2050.
AWN Langlands Hanlon agent Geoff Rice, Parkes, with his father, Colin, and brother, Richard, J and H Rice and Co, Hillview, Cookamidgera, sold 25 eight- to nine-month-old Angus weaner steers (351kg) for the top weaner steer price of $2000 a head. The steers were Millah Murrah blood and, all up, the family sold 83 head which averaged $1862.40/head. They also sold 266kg heifers for $1805/head.
Best presented pen of steers was sold by J and N Belecky, The Pines, Neville, for $1850 a head. The 29 Angus/Blue E weaner steers were August/September drop and had an average weight of 310 kilograms. They were Gilmandyke and Coota Park blood.
Mt David Agriculture, Briar Park, manager Lance Bonham, Rockley, was on hand to see 34 July/August drop Angus weaner steers (332kg) sell for $1900 a head. Mt David Agriculture sold 70 Bannaby- and Millah Murrah-blood weaner steers for an average of $1836/head.
Ross Armstrong, G and R Farming, Brooklyn, Parkes, sold 14 eight- to nine-month-old Angus weaner steers (371kg) for $1900 a head
Allan Thompson, Glastonbury, Parkes, sold eight- to nine-month-old Angus weaner steers (314kg) for $1820 a head. The steers were Millah Murrah blood and Mr Thompson said he normally has weaners to sell at this time of year.
Billy Lawson, Bald Hill, Perthville, bought 22 Angus steers (360kg) for $1970 a head from Toohey Pastoral Company, Newbridge.
Malcolm McLaurin, Corrie Vale Pastoral Company, Woodstock, with his head stockman Jack Anderson, sold five- to six-month-old Angus weaner steers (285kg) for $1800 a head. The steers were Pine Creek and Gilmandyke-blood.
DG and MD Stonestreet, Mindaribba, Newbridge, sold 53 August/September Angus weaner steers that tipped the scales at 357kg for $1970, while DF and B Brazier, Old Nubrygyn, Euchareena, offered a pen of 32 July/August-drop 339kg Angus weaner steers with Murdeduke blood for $1925.
YJ and JG Brown, Cross Hills, Newbridge, impressed buyers with 47 Karoo- and Kywarra-blood Angus weaner steers, August/September drop and weighing 329kg, that sold for $1915.
The top-priced heifers were sold by Duncan Clowes, Valdemar, Millthorpe, for $2050. They were a pen of five seven- to eight-month-old Te Mania-blood Angus weaner heifers tipping the scales at 427kg.
Tunbridge Wells Partnership, Cadia, sold seven- to eight-month-old, 324kg, Te Mania- and KO-blood Angus weaner heifers for $1930.
A and L Lorimer, Wirringulla, Borenore near Orange, sold 310kg six- to eight-month-old Angus heifers for $1820, which were awarded the best presented pen of heifers. A and L Lorimer also sold weaner steers to a top of $1790/head.
Kinross Wolaroi manager Michael Owen, Orange, sold 30 Angus weaner heifers (250kg) for $1660 a head.
The sale was conducted by Central Tablelands Livestock Agents Association.
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