WANGARATTA Livestock Exchange held its annual Hereford, Black Baldy, Euro, other weaner breeds and grown sale last Friday with another strong showing of local and interstate buyers.
A showing of 1791 cattle were presented with a solid mix of quality bloodlines and overall condition.
The sale continued to reflect the high demand for quality cattle following a tough 2024 with unseasonal conditions throughout the year, proving to be a challenge for many local producers.
Corcoran Parker stock agent Reiley Murtagh said the turnout continued to be very pleasing with a big showing of buyers locally and interstate which kept bidding wars strong that drove above average prices creating further confidence in the cattle industry.
“Another successful sale proved that confidence in gaining for vendors and buyers alike with a large presence of interstate buyers ready to buy big," he said.
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“Interstate buyers purchased up to 60-70 per cent of the total yarding with the remaining yards being purchased by local producers.
“The big push from interstate buyers has really made a positive impact as producers look to continue their herd sizes.
“Overall, the sale was very successful with a great range of buyers and firm bidding.
“Angus were the premium purchase on the day and still remain in high demand.
“Euro cattle were close behind the Angus with plenty of interest and demand of purchase.”
Prices saw Hereford steers 280-330kg at $4/kg, lighter steers at $3.30-$4/kg, heavy feeder cattle 380-520kg at $3.30-$4.25/kg, Euro cattle280-400kg at $3.70-$4.68/kg, Angus heifers 280-400kg at $3.30-$4/kg, Hereford 280-400kg at $3-$3.40/kg and feeder heifers 400-500kg at $3.30-$3.90/kg.
Tallangatta cattle producer David Brewer has been working in the cattle industry for 45 years on his family farm on 2500 acres, running 550 cows with his son Austin by his side.
David presented quality stock to the sale with 40 steers and 200 Angus calves.
The last 12 months have proven very difficult for the Brewer family, with unseasonal conditions proving very stressful and stretching the budget to the limit.
“Last year proved to be the worst season I’ve ever seen since the 1982 drought,” Mr Brewer said.
“We had no feed in our paddocks with poor autumn conditions leading into a very dry and yet cold winter that did not allow grass to grow in paddocks.
“As a consequence, the farm was forced to spend $100,000 on fodder to keep up the health and bodyweight up on our stock to get them through.
“Looking into this year, there is a lot of promise and optimism at the saleyards, with plenty of rain up north that has created a drive for keen buyers to travel south in the local areas to look to buy up, to build up their herds.
“The market right now is holding steady, and producers are starting to move stock with confidence knowing not only is there movement in the market, but prices are on a slow and steady rise.”
The overall prices for the Brewer family proved to be a success, showing confidence and positive results for the Tallangatta producers.
“We were very pleased with the results at the sale, which showed not only prices were slightly above average, but also there was plenty of interest shown on the day,” he said.
