NO rain and little feed produced a wary bunch of vendors at the Wangaratta monthly store sale, with its yarding of 1350 cattle on Thursday May 16.
Despite that, buyer interest was up, and so were the prices, on last month.
Corcoran Parker Wangaratta agent Reiley Murtagh was pleased with the sale bringing confidence back into the market this month despite no autumn rain.
“We saw plenty of active buyers compared to last month which aided in the price drive,” Mr Murtagh said.
“The May market presented more confidence in the market which was a fantastic turnaround.
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“Despite the fact we still have had no rain, this had no impact on the market slowing down or creating hesitation.
“People have been opportunistic this month and having a crack at buying in at the sale.
“The cattle industry is remaining confident that things are looking up from here.”
The best pen of cows and calves fetched between $1200-$1540 while grain steers topped at $3/kg, steers 300-400kg at $3.60/kg, Angus steers 350-400kg at $3.60kg, steers 300kg at $3.60, lighter cattle 200-280kg at $3.85/kg, feeder heifers and coloured steers 300-400kg at $3.20/kg, lighter heifers 200kg at $3.20/kg, feeder heifers 360-440kg at $3.10kg and lighter heifers 280-350kg at $3.20/kg.
Jess Sharp runs the Gemache farm in Myrrhee with her brother Luke Sharp and sister Emily Bronsgeest on 169 acres, breeding Scottish Highland cattle.
“We sold 18 Scottish Highland cattle at the Wangaratta store cattle sale which was something not seen every day according to local agents,” Ms Sharp said.
“Our family has a successful breeding program over the years where our cattle have been sold in Western Australia and locally.
“We have a big expression of interested from local producers and abroad which is very exciting."
Highland cattle, with their long horns and flowing coats, are famous around the world.
Originating in the west of Scotland they have since spread across the globe.
Written records date back to the 18th century and the Highland Cattle Herd Book, first published in 1885, lists pedigrees since then.
The May sale saw strong prices and plenty of interest with top prices fetching $3800 each, big bulls sold for $1750 each while weaners sold for $500-$1850 each.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the results of the sale and to see so much interest considering Highland varieties are rarely seen at a cattle sale,” Ms Sharp said.
