Beef
29 January, 2025
Weaner sales a rollercoaster ride
Hamilton’s weaner sales started on Monday, January 13 with a yarding of 4800 Angus and Angus cross steers selling at the average rate of 412c/kg or $1370 on 332kg-average weight steers.
Buyers were represented by locals, processors, finishers and feed-lotters. Volume buyers were few.
Vendors were subject to a rollercoaster of results – from $380c/kg through to around $440 c/kg.
The winter/spring paddock feed season has varied greatly for producers – with some producers stating weight gains this sale compared to last year, but those towards Casterton and down towards Port Fairy stating up to 30kg down per head on the previous year.
This difference is reflected directly with the rainfall totals on farm.
Coffey Partnership sold 62 Angus steers – five weeks weaned, average 344kg – Lawsons, Te mania and Boonaroo sires at $430c/kg.
Jacinta Coffey said conditions on their property near Port Fairy were extremely dry, resulting in their steers being approximately 30kg behind last year’s weaners.
Calga sold 16 Angus steers (six weeks weaned) at an average of 359kg – Pathfinder sires at $390kg.
Simon Cuzens said conditions had been fairly tough on farm but the steers were “pretty good considering.”
There did not appear to be a premium for the European Union stock, with many buyers opting out of the system.
Bernie Grant of LMB Livestock said the line-up of cattle was very good, “particularly considering the trying conditions.”
“There was good support from buyers from Gippsland, New South Wales and South Australia, but only a couple of feed-lotters,” he added.
“It was a fluctuating sale but a lot of steers, the 350kg plus steers were still making around $1600.”
Day two of the Hamilton weaner sales saw a mixed breed yarding.
Best Presented Pen went to Sandy Camp from the Mibus family.
They sold 22 angus steers, February/March 2024 drop – averaging 465kg, four weeks weaned, EU accredited, Bassano Sire for $405c/kg.
Best Presented Pen of Herefords went to Inverell Herefords, with 18, March/April 2024 drop, Yaram Park and Glendan Park sires, EU accredited steers, averaging 403kg, six weeks weaned for $382c/kg.
H.E & M.F Jarrett sold 26 Angus cross steers, March/April 2024 drop, averaging 381kg, Claremont Sire, two weeks weaned for $394c/kg.
Sam Savin of Nutrien Ag Solutions Hamilton said the good Angus calves topped out $430 - $440 for the early 300kg.
“There wasn’t really a premium for EU but more a premium for weight, anything over about 400kg,” he said.
“The one soft spot was cattle between 355kg – 375kg – not quite heavy enough for the feedlots and too heavy to go up north.”
Day three, mixed breed and mixed sex European breeds.
Best presented Pen was won by L.R. & R.B Wheeler with pens one and two.
Pen one was 26 Angus steers, five weeks weaned, Yarram Park and Mawarra sires, EU accredited, averaging 399kg sold for $396c/kg.
In pen two, L.R. & R.B Wheeler 29 Angus steers, five weeks weaned Yarram Park and Mawarra sires, EU accredited, averaging 391kg sold for $406c/kg.
Old Ripponhurst – Elsom family, sold 19 Hereford steers, March/April 2024 drop, six weeks weaned, Injemira sires, averaging 331kg for $378c/kg.
“The season had been pretty tough but the steers have come through better than expected, considering the conditions,” Michelle Elsom said.
According to David Elsom they were lucky to get a bit of rain before Christmas and that really got them through.
“It was just at the right time, and that makes all the difference. The steers weigh about the same as last year so we are pretty happy.”
Bernie Grant of LMB Livestock said there was around 2700 cattle in, the top end Hereford steers were making $370 to $390c/kg with the odd lot going over, the second line of Herefords were making $$360 to $380c/kg.
“I think we are starting to see the volume of cattle starting to pressure on the job.”
Day four of the weaner sales kicked off at 8.30am and saw 1700 mixed breed heifers being sold.
This was to allow more weaner cattle to be sold from Mortlake Livestock Exchange (WVLX) in the afternoon.
The market saw mostly Angus heifers offered.
Top end heifers for breeding stock were selling for around the $350c/kg, then the second run of lighter weight heifers sat in the $320-$340c/kg range – mostly going to feed-lotters.
Day five from Western Victorian Livestock Exchange in Mortlake saw the remainder of the almost 8000 cattle sold.
Livestock agent Jack Kelly said it was a “wonderful achievement” for Mortlake to draw so many cattle.
“This was the first time we’ve had numbers like this. The vendors have been through one of the toughest years I have seen since being in the industry, and the cattle have presented well.
“The longer the cattle have been weaned (up to eight weeks) the better they looked and the quieter they were.
“It’s given them an opportunity to get some weight on. Steers have made anywhere from $380c/kg to the tops around $445c/kg. Heavier weight steers were headed to feed-lotters.”
Thomas Foods International buyer Ben Davies said he was surprised with how the cattle looked.
“I am quite surprised; the conditions have been very tough here yet the cattle look better than I expected.
“I thought they could be back 30-40kg but most have come through better than I thought.”
Mr Davies bought 1200 weaners out of the western district to go into TFI’s feedlots.
Overall, the market was slightly weaker than previous sales at Naracoorte and Wodonga.
Northern buyers were dominant, taking around 90 per cent of the yarding’s after good seasonal conditions.
There was an obvious difference between steers and heifer prices – with heifers considerably cheaper, and strong demand for cattle with weight.