Gippsland weaner sales outperform last year

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Heyfield

There were approximately 2,000 cattle penned for the annual Heyfield dual agent Store Sale. Widespread rain fell across Gippsland throughout the night and into the morning which had an impact on crowd size. Buyer support was strong despite the rain with a large contingent of producers and agents from across Gippsland meeting competition from one feedlot.

Landmark’s offering at the Old Yards kicked off the sale and quality was very mixed with the majority of the yarding presented in lighter condition than last year. Rodwell’s portion of the sale was an improvement as a larger proportion of their run was carrying weight and condition with several pens being secured by processors for direct slaughter.

The opening results were disappointing with many plainer pens of well-bred calves selling below recent averages however competition improved with quality by the latter stages of the sale. Prices reached and in places exceeding par with recent East Gippsland store market results.

Bairnsdale

There were approximately 2,900 calves penned for the annual Bairnsdale Associated Agents Autumn Weaner Sale and quality was very good throughout, with large runs of one mark breeders calves on offer. The condition of the calves was very good in most drafts with many pens in forward condition and some selected pens going direct to slaughter.

There was a large contingent of buyers present including graziers and agents mostly from across Victoria and one large feedlot whose bidding was fairly subdued. There was also some processor enquiry for suitable calves. The majority of the calves went to producers from across Gippsland with selected pens of heifers selling to strong competition to join breeding herds.

The market was significantly stronger than last year however, competition was not quite as strong as some recent Gippsland sales. Averages were in the order of $200 to $300/head dearer than last year’s sale with the odd pen exceeding these results. Many drafts through the sale had sample weights displayed with these only a representation of a percentage of the calves in the pen. The top of the weaner steers made $1,270/head for 19 Hereford steers estimated to weigh 372kg while last year’s market reached a top of $970/head for Angus steers weighed at 400kg.