HIGH prices dominated Thursday’s store sale, with recent rains very much welcomed, but more still needed to dampen the dry soil.
There were plenty of people at the yards perusing for a Thursday outing, some ready to buy if the prices dropped enough, others keen to just get their hands on something.
The Hurley Family were selling three pens of Angus, which, according to Cameron Steed and Diana Hurley-Steed, sold “at good prices, very good in fact” under Alex Scott & Staff auctioneer David Setches.
The 60 Millah Murrah bred steers, Never Ever accredited, saw the heavier selling for $2300 a head and the lighter 367 kilograms securing $2080 per head.
The family from Dargo attends the saleyards two to three times a year.
Stock agent Roger Tweedle from Warragul noted the prices were very high as he worked to get a second pen for one of his clients.
“The American market is strong. Still building the herd, so there is half a hope,” he commented.
Cattle that were once unsellable, previously too small, flew out the gates.
Twelve Angus from Taralinga fetched $6.60 a kilo in the smaller steers.
“It’s very good, ticking along nicely,” Alex Scott & Staff Livestock Agent Rob Ould stated before lunch.
“The feedlot is doing very well with most going to grazier properties.”
Whilst several people at today’s market asked not to be named, the conversations were flowing, with much chatter around the high prices and low dam levels.
“It’s spring, we’re out of winter. The grass is starting to move, but it’s still anyone’s guessing game,” one farmer noted regarding prices remaining high until the end of the year.
“The dams are too low, there is no security in the weather, and it can be hard to work out the stocking rates at the moment,” another added.
“Too many and the weather dries up, you get stuck.”
A Kongwak farmer was restocking on Thursday after destocking earlier in the year. Purchasing twelve-month-old Hereford steers,
“After recent rains, got more grass and in a position to buy for the season ahead,” he said, stating he had also brought last month.
“Apprehensive about the prices, but got to do something. Prices could go up or down, but at least if you’re in, you’re in.
“They’re good quality cattle, but they are expensive. You’re buying at 12 months what you were selling for fully grown.
“The prices are going to have to be good in six/12/18 months’ time, otherwise farmers will be in trouble.”
As Elders stepped into action, the Sentinel-Times caught up with Alex Scott & Staff auctioneer David Setches.
“It was very, very strong,” David stated.
“Slightly dearer than a fortnight ago. Feedlots dominated in the 400-600 kilogram cattle. Prices were 10-20c more than a fortnight ago.
“There was a lot of agent support, but it’s good to see cattle staying local on the back of rain over the last week. It was a solid market.”
And whilst the sellers were more than pleased with the price, some buyers were keeping their purse strings tightly closed, hoping for a dip in the market.