Mixed offerings at Koonwarra

APPROXIMATELY 3350 head of cattle were up for grabs at Friday’s Koonwarra store sale, with a mixture of animals on offer, a number being in the young and light bracket.

While one person was heard bemoaning low prices, most sellers were philosophical, accepting the market as it is.

Mikayla Killeen and brother Jarryd Sutton of Glengarry were happy with the sale of six speckled steers, weighing in at an average of 397 kilos and fetching $1,400 a head at 353 cents a kilo.

They felt that outcome was on par with the current market, with Jarryd saying prices are still easing, something that is reflected across the eastern states.

Nutrien auctioneer Brian McCormack said the overall quality is dropping a little at present, with a lot of smaller cattle on offer on Friday, saying that contributes to lower prices.

Brian said a lot of people are taking a ‘wait and see’ outlook as winter approaches and will reset their priorities when they have a clearer idea of what is in store.

He added that what the ‘fat market’ does will be influential.

On Friday, 26 Walkerville steers averaging 332 kilos, brought in $1,320 a head at 398 cents a kilo.

Tipping the scales at 780 kilos, one Angus steer earned $2350 at 301 cents per kilo.

Thirteen steers averaging 666 kilos fetched $2,320 a head at 348 cents a kilo, while 12 Traralgon steers averaging 582 kilos earned $2,010 each at 345 cents a kilo.

Lower down the weight divisions, some higher per kilo prices were paid, with 18 eight-month-old steers averaging 254 kilos bringing in $1,140 each at 448 cents a kilo.

Croydon’s Fay Lovus was checking out her first cattle sale, accompanying friends Rob and Jen Wischer of Tarwin Lower, clearly enjoying the experience.

“Coming from an auctioneering family, it would be the speak of the auction I love, and the animals,” Fay said when explaining the appeal of the experience.

While her auctioneering family members have focused on property sales, the auction vibe is seemingly equally appealing in the store sale environment.

Both guarantee noise, action and plenty of banter.