With 1273 grown store cattle yarded today at Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange near Wodonga, most buying competition came from feedlot interests who continue to dominate cattle sales in order to fill their feeding pens.
As a result of this strong demand, prices remained fully firm even for the lighter weights which were showing the effects of a cold and wet winter in the northeast of Victoria.
Most attention was paid to the breeders lines of well bred stock, but even the very light conditioned cattle were sold for good prices.
Weaner steers in the 300kg to 400kg weight range sold from $1560 (325kg) to $2100 (395kg); while those under 300kg sold to $1810 for Angus steer weighing 290kg.
Yearling steers over 400kg sold for $2270 (455kg) to $2500 (492kg) while two Billilingra-blood Herefords weighing 527kg sold for $2140 on account BG, DJ and C Russell, Adaminaby.
Weaner heifers 300kg to 400kg sold from $1540 (335kg) to $2010 (346kg); while those under 300kg sold to $1695 (298kg).
The limited numbers of females with first calves sold to $3880.
Some sales of weaner steers included 18 Rennylea-blood Angus, weighing 373kg sold on account CJ and NE Briggs, Cudgewa, Victoria, for $2025: the Sharp Partnership, Cudgewa, Vic., sold 20 Angus weighing 382kg and GL Prichard Nominees, Castle Creek, Vic., sold 16 black baldies, EU accredited and 14 months old for $1990.
In the heavy pens of steers J and S Adams, Staghorn Flat, Vic., sold eight Dunoon-blood Angus weighing 492kg for $2500.
Representative sales weaner heifers included 25 Rennylea-blood Angus, weighing 346kg, sold on account Boolara Park, Barnawartha, Vic., for $2010: Bowler Station Unit Trust, Mitta Mitta, Vic., received $1940 for eight black baldies weighing 376kg and Peter McCormack, Bullioh, Vic., sold nine Marwarra-blood Herefords, weighing 398kg for $1970.
In the breeder pens, Livestock Pastoral, Undera, sold six two and half year old black baldies with calves for $3880.
Most of the buying action came from feedlots while the few determined local restockers purchased cattle when they could.
Wodonga-based agents BUR, Schubert Boers, Peter Ruaro Livestock and Corcoran Parker operated during the sale.
- Complete results next week
Have you signed up to The Land's free daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to NSW agriculture.