Angus in vogue at store sale

Last week agents yarded 1,834 head at the first of the Powranna spring store sales. 

Given the time of the year (just coming out of winter) the quality was good and in particular the lines of Angus yearling steers that created good competition.

There were also some small lots and a few crossbreds but in all most cattle sold to strong competition with all cattle staying in the state with most heading to the North West, North East and Northern Midlands. Heavy yearling steers (440+ kg) made $2,300 to $2,520 (av. 500c), medium (330-400 kg) $1,860 to $2,380 (530c) and light (200-330 kg) $1,300 to $1,860 (600c). Heavy weaner steers (330 + kg) made $1,700 to $2,020 (540c), medium (280-330 kg) $1,600 to $1,860 (575c), light (200-280 kg) $1,400 to $1,600 (625c) and very small $700 to $1,170 (700c).

Medum weight yearling heifers sold for $1,340 to $2,280 (460c) and lighter $1,480 to $1,660 (510c). Medium weaner heifers $1,340 to $1,780 (525c), light $920 to $1,520 (540c) and very small $860 to $1,700/head. Many of the better bred yearling heifers were bought to become breeders which is a positive sign going forward.

Interstate cattle markets are showing an easier tendency after a few weeks of rising prices. 

In most saleyards prices were 20c to 30c/kg cheaper across most categories but still at good levels with most trade cattle making 450c to 520c, grown steers and bullocks 440c to 480c and the best heavy cows 390c to 435c/kg liveweight.

Victorian store cattle sales also showed weaker signs with prices at both Mortlake and Wodonga up to 40c/kg cheaper. There is a definite easier pattern being set by feeders and restockers as a few more cattle come to the market and although there are a lot of Victoria and NSW  in a very good early spring the season further north is getting very dry and hence the cattle from those areas are heading to the markets. As is probably the case most years, the seasons in the big paddocks of Queensland and NSW  are going to be crucial going forward.

Fewer cattle at Powranna

There was a smaller yarding of 76 trade and export cattle at Powranna on Tuesday (48 less) with very few cows included. 

With more trade cattle available, prices were cheaper with most yearling steers being sold to restockers for 456c to 498c while butchers bought heifers for 440c to 480c and the seconds made 390c to 434c/kg.

 There was a better line-up of grown steers and these made 430c to 440c/kg. There were only 12 cows penned and the few heavy cows made 358c to 364c and leaner 300c to 358c/kg. Heavy bulls made 330c to 342c/kg liveweight.

There was a slightly larger yarding of 516 lambs (234 more) with quality of old lambs very mixed. 

The highlight was the three pens of heavy new seasons lambs that made $278 to $320/head. Most old lambs were $20 to $30 cheaper with heavy pens making $250 to $300, trade $232 to $260 and light trade $210 to $236/head. 

There was also a small number of 312 mutton (146 more) and with less competition prices were $30 to $40 cheaper with extra heavy sheep making $200 to $208, heavy $180 to $212, medium $148 to $180 and light $128 to $140/head.