Date: Jan 4, 2023

Yarded:  4400 Angus mix sex weaners

Steers +360kg: $1800-$2120, avg 499c/kg; 280-360kg: $1600-$1870, avg 533c/kg;

Heifers 280-360kg: $1480-$1870, avg 510c/kg; 250-280kg: $1230- $1480, avg 525c/kg

  

Large lines draw extra bids at Wangaratta

THREE large breeder lines that represented 44 percent of a 4400-strong penning provided the cornerstone to an improved demand at the Wangaratta Premier Angus and Feature weaner sale on Wednesday.

The sale, now in its third year, assembled the majority of its listing from the highly-fancied northeast Alpine cattle breeding districts surrounding Mansfield and Myrtleford along with selected other local area lines.

The stand-out feature of the sale – a 750-head consignment by Rod and Rodda Manning, Davilak Pastoral, of Mansfield drew foremost attention from a large body of buyers.

Based on Glendaloch-bloodlines and prepared with almost every treatment possible, including a Carbon Neutral Assessment by supermarket giant, Coles, the line was offered in three main drafts offering lots of 250, 223 and 198.

Taking 188 from its top line weighing 359kg-average, Coles Livestock paid $1870 or 520c/kg while the line’s second draft, at 325kg, was cleared on three hammers between $1760 and $1790.

Davilak’s third draft line, average 310kg, was also cleared on three hammers at $1700, $1700 and $1690/head for an overall clearance of $1760 or 540c/kg.

The second feature consignment was offered by DKF (Dennis) Heyward and Sons, “Glenlock” Everton, Vic.

Supporting Quarterway, Fernhill and The Glen bloodlines, the Heyward draft of 450 steers (and 200 heifers lots) gathered a steer top price of $2000/head for 40 head, 411kg, and $1805 a head for a second run of 110 (366kg).

A third run of 48 Heywood steers, 350kg, made $1750.

The third cornerstone consignment was contributed by K&P and M&B McPherson with operations based at Rosewhite and Bowmans Forest, Vic.

Their contribution of 275 steers and 275 heifers, by Jarobee and Alpine bulls, was snapped up in part by Elders Killara Feedlot, Quirindi and Elders Tamworth office.

Their first offering of 25 steers, 379kg, made $1940, a pen of 28, 355kg made $1830 while a third draft of 50, 348kg, made $1800.

However, topping the sale overall at $2120, was a pen of Steven Clarke’s Deepdale and Seaton Park Partnership Angus, 437kg, sold aged 9-10 months.

Farmed at Tallarook, Vic, these have topped all northeast weaner results to date while a second pen of 49, 385kg, made $2010.

Running a close second however was a yard of eight Angus, 416kg offered by P&H Kirkbride, Baddaginnie. These made $2090 a head while a second Kirkbride pen of 21, 372kg, made $1860.

Other vendors to claim prices above $1900/head included Pulitano Pastoral, Merrijig, Vic, with a sale at $1980 for 18 Angus, 374kg along with Mercieca Pastoral, Barwite, Vic, 48 Angus, 384kg, sold also at $1980.

Watch the live vision of the opening run of sales at Wangaratta as stream by Beef Central:

The sale, which was conducted jointly by Corcoran Parker and Elders, both of Wangaratta, was heavily supported by large interstate orders that were hotly pressed by local restocker interests.

CP auctioneer, Justin Keane, said the major drafts, with their larger lines, did help to draw more attention to the Wangaratta market.

The two sales (Wangaratta and Wodonga) were very similarly priced, Mr Keane said.

“Flat line I would call it but with a heavier top end and a bit more freshness here at Wangaratta to return a couple of extra cents per kilogram and a few more dollars a head”.

Mr Keane praised the finish and presentation of penning despite overall weights being some 20-30kg in arrears of last year.

“A lot of the calves were sloshing around in water two months ago so they have finished remarkably well in the time” he said.

Watch Justin Keane full interview with Beef Central:

Heifers, likewise, drew keener interest and slightly better results due to their larger lines.

One standalone sale made at $2010/head sold the top priced heifers, a yard of 19 Angus, 419kg, aged 15-16 months by Marraka Pastoral.

Honours for the top-priced weaner heifers was shared by Deepdale Pastoral, Tallarook and Pulitano Pastoral, Merrijig.

Sold at $1870/head, the Deepdale lot of 54, by Witherswood, Riga and Avil bulls, weighed 346kg while the Pulitano line of 31, by Alpine and Welcome Swallow bulls, weighed 339kg.

Most other heifer sales were made between $1450 and $1700 with odd sales higher.

These included:

MJ & BE Roche, Whorouly -30 Angus, 324kg, $1760,

Blandhoven Partnership, Mansfield, 26 Angus, 324kg, $1740,

Finger Pastoral Co, Mansfield, 30 Angus, 307kg, $1705

K & P McPherson, Rosewhite, 47 Angus 304kg, $1700.