Wodonga 3 Jan 2013

Steer prices held up well as agents yarded 4000 cattle for the first Wodonga weaner sale of the year on Thursday.

The National Livestock Reporting Services said store buyers and lot feeders were keen to secure adequate numbers of steers at the opening Black Angus sale.

However, heifers sold to much weaker demand with a small group of buyers operating across all heifer categories. 

The NLRS said numbers were larger than anticipated and quality was outstanding across all weights and grades.

The weight of the cattle was slightly back on the previous year with the bulk offered weighing between 300kg to 400kg.

Cattle were drawn from Tallangatta, Bethanga, Narrandera, Riverina, Upper Murray as well as the local supply area. Buyers travelled from Toowoomba, Finley, Bathurst, Holbrook, Glen Innes, Inverell, Wangaratta and the New England.

Restockers from Northern and Southern areas along with local competition were eager to purchase light weight steers which resulted in an average price of 197c as prices ranged from 186c to 225c/kg. Medium weight Angus steers sold from $667 to $764/head a live weight equivalent of 155c to 201c/kg

Medium weight heifers sold to weaker demand with only limited competition from buyers, sales ranged from 141c to 154c/kg.

Light weight heifers returning to the paddock sold for an average price of $451/head, or the equivalent of 175c/kg.

Feeders were active purchasing runs of medium weight steers averaging around 176c or $672.70/head, while the heifer portion sold for an average price of 151c/kg. 

Naracoorte 3 Jan 2013

Meanwhile, 3143 weaners were also yarded at Naracoorte on Thursday. 

The NLRS described the yarding as good quality yarding featuring mainly well-bred Angus, Black Baldy and European cross weaner steers. It also contained lines of Murray Grey, Poll Hereford, Shorthorn, Red Angus and Bos Indicus cross steers that sold to steady feeder, restocker and some wholesale competition.

Naracoorte restocker orders were supported by South East buyers from Kongorong, Padthaway, Mt. Gambier, Kalangadoo, Wattle Range, Millicent and Lucindale. Additional South Australian orders were from Princess Royal Station (Burra), Kidman's Cavan Feedlot, T & R Pastoral sourcing mainly EU Accredited Angus steers over 360kgs lwt also provided some impetus to the sale; with a Victorian wholesaler purchasing heavier cattle to kill and light weights to feed on. Other interstate buying orders came from Inverell, Gunnedah, Hamilton, Apsley, Hopkins River Feedlot, Leongatha and Melton. 

The 200kg to 280kg steers with many sold by open auction led to some estimated sales averaging close to 200c/kg lwt.

However, most Angus steers sold from $415 to $505/head, or 150c to 200c/kg lwt. The Black Baldy steers sold from $405 to $505 or 175c to 200c/kg lwt. The Herefords sold at $540, with the Murray Greys $405 to $450/head.

The mainly Angus steers weighing 280kg to 330kg sold from $510 to $615, or 179c to 189c/kg lwt. Black Baldy sales ranged from $535 to $585/head and were averaging around 180c/kg lwt. European cross steers attracted prices from $560 to $575/head for a 173c/kg lwt average.

Heavy Angus steers over 330kgs in large numbers sold from $545 to $745/head, or 175c to 191c/kg lwt. Black Baldy sales ranged between $595 and $715/head or 170c to 190c/kg lwt. European cross steers sold between $615 and $670/head or 162c to 175c/kg lwt.

Poll Hereford steers sold from $615 to $670/head for a 180c/kg lwt average. The Murray Grey steers in small lines sold from $460 to $700/head and were averaging 163c/kg lwt.

Overall the 3143 steers averaged 175c/kg lwt, or $552/head.   

For more price quotes read the NLRS market reports from each sale in full in Beef Central's markets section.