Weaner sales across the state continue to impress with buyers bidding furiously for new steers and more so for the heifers, which are dearer than their brothers in many selling centres.
Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange at Casino celebrated its biggest ever week of sales in March, with combined revenue from three days exceeding $10 million.
"Many buyers commented it was the strongest sale they had ever seen, including several who came from as far afield as the Victorian border," said NRLX operations manager Brad Willis.
At NVLX Wodonga last Thursday, demand for weaner steers, six to seven months and weighing under 300kg, indicated restockers were still prepared to 'meet the market' in their desire to purchase stock.
It is not clear if values for weaners have peaked, but prices do seem to have reached a plateau.
Michael Unthank, director Brian Unthank Rural, Wodonga, considered prices for weaner steers have stabilised and with winter months close he couldn't see them getting much dearer.
Buyers at the Tamworth weaner sale may have been competing on a smaller than expected yarding, but it didn't stop them from throwing starting bids of $1800 for the better quality calves. It became well known that those with an order to fill couldn't be stopped at a specific price and they were armed without a budget for top stock.
At the Carcoar Annual Blue Ribbon Weaner Sale on Friday, heavy heifers made more than the steers of similar weight, while the average price for the yard nearly doubled compared to 12 months ago to $1800.
