WANGARATTA Livestock Exchange held its annual premier Angus weaner and grown feature sale on Wednesday, which saw a healthy yarding of 4000 cattle with a strong turnout of buyers.
It reflected the high demand for quality cattle following a tough 2024 which proved a struggle for many producers.
Corcoran Parker stock agent Reiley Murtagh said the turnout on Wednesday’s sale was a welcome sight with plenty of buyers travelling from NSW along with strong local interest, which boosted prices and showed the overall confidence in the market.
“There was a big push from northern buyers which added strong competition in bidding that kept prices up and reflected the current demand leading into the autumn period," he said.
“Heifers saw the biggest rise in price which has not been seen in some time.
“Prices remained very strong in the open cattle section seeing prices jump by $1.10/kg.
“Overall, the start to the year is showing optimism and confidence in the industry and we hope the trend continues."
Hereford, Black Baldy, Euro and other breed of weaners and grown cattle sale will be held on Friday, January 10 at the Wangaratta Livestock exchange starting at 2pm with another strong line-up of stock expected to again attract interest showing from local and interstate buyers.
Mr Murtagh said prices at Wednesday’s sale saw top end Angus steers 420kg at $1820 or 4.25/kg, 380kg Angus calves at $3.40/kg, Angus calves 300-320kg at $4.25-$4.68kg, Lighter Angus steers 270kg at $1350 or $5.00/kg.
Mansfield cattle producer Rodda Manning, who presented 700 Angus steers and 50 heifers at the sale, grew up on his family farm and took over the reins 15 years ago on the 7000-acre property.
Like most cattle producers in the region, he said the Davilait Pastoral Company farm has had ups and downs with the unseasonal conditions that began this time last year, however, he was pleased cattle prices remained firm.
“Last year we had a terrible autumn with no rainfall to be seen, which continued into winter seeing conditions cold and dry,” Mr Manning said.
“This continued into spring, which continued to mount pressure on our farm, particularly our cattle who struggled during this period.
“The November rain did save us seeing 115mm fall on the farm.
“The cattle fed on what little grass was left and were supplemented with silage to keep them moving forward.
“The market prices here in Wangaratta and the North East are governed by rainfall in the north into NSW.
“Good rain along with plenty of feed in the north not only eases pressure on farmers, but also draws interest to sales here locally with producers in the north looking to buy in numbers and are prepared to pay market or above market value.
“The overall results of this sale were very pleasing pricewise, which I’m sure instills confidence in producers moving forward into 2025.”