LOCAL beef producers were digging deep into their deposits of happy memories, of prosperous years gone by, as they watched well-bred Angus cattle in forward condition selling for prices anywhere between $2 per kg and $3 per kg at Friday’s store sale at Koonwarra.

It was a far cry, according to Cameron and Steph Corrigan of Krowera, from the prices they were receiving just 12 months ago.

“These would have made $2400 last year but they’ve only made $970 today,” said Cameron, of a pen of 21 ‘Rennylea blood Angus’ in superb condition for their 340kg average weight.

Turned out though, that the $2.85kg price they received was one of the best returns of the day at one of the biggest store cattle sales of the new season, numbers boosted by three B-double loads of store stock from the Bega-Bombala region of NSW which has already turned dry.

“They sent some down here after a poor sale up there a week or so ago and they’ve certainly sold at improved prices, although it’s far from ideal,” said Eddie Hams of Nutrien Leongatha.

But the prices being paid are out of the hands of Victorians, said local cattle buyer and producer Ross Svenson.

“Two thirds of Australia’s cattle are above the Tropic of Capricorn so while they’re quitting cattle up there, we’re not going to see any improvement down here,” said Mr Svenson.

“They haven’t got the processing space.”

So, the wheel has turned half circle with the big meat processing and export companies dictating prices and margins, where they had been price takers for the past three or four seasons.

How do local producers make any money?

“They don’t at the moment. There’s no margin in it but you have to keep going. Unless there’s rain up there, I’d say it will take 12 months or more to come right again,” Mr Svenson said.

But that’s farming.

There was some good news however, pelting down on the roof of the Leongatha VLE Saleyards.

“You can always do with rain at this time of year,” said David Hall of Foster.

Especially in the district from Yarram to Giffard West, a follow up fall of 10mm-15mm has been most welcome.