Weaners set to make the grade

The first for the year was the Amherst/Moville/Wittalocka circuit sale on October 31, with Naracoorte's traditional Blue Ribbon Christmas weaner market brought forward to the first week of November.

While early sales were dominated by buyers from Livestock Shipping Services, for a Russian export order set to depart in early January, agents say many of the usual grazier and background buyers were hot on their heels.

Southern Australian Livestock general manager Laryn Gogel, Naracoorte, said the two Naracoorte sales thus far had been well-supported by the LSS order.

"It's been very strong," he said.

"But it was pleasing to see there were still people there that were right up behind the LSS order.

"I would think you'd have to be confident that yes, we've got enough people out there that are believers in where this cattle job is going.

"I'd be pretty confident that it would go well."

With the weaner sell-off starting earlier than usual due to the dry, Mr Gogel said, there were still regular January vendors who were holding onto cattle.

"I think our (SAL) numbers will be back a little bit just because they've already come forward," he said.

"It looks like the vendors we normally have for the later sale are still going to be there.

"I think they're trying to prolong it assuming that the cattle industry price is going to go with them if they can hang in."

Even though it is close to Christmas, Mr Gogel said the South East was looking more like February as far as feed was concerned.

He was optimistic weaner buyers would be active but probably conservative on sourcing numbers.

"I think that's probably the caution that you'll see with most of the operators at the moment," he said.

"It's just that feed factor; they'll buffer it by having less rather than feeding more."

Elders national livestock manager Chris Howie said he expected to see numbers equivalent to, or a little higher than, last year in the Elders draft.

"It's hard to judge, there might be a longer tail in the offering, although the early sales haven't shown that - there's been some pretty good weight amongst those," he said.

"The better black steers made up to $2.37/kg, and I think we'll see prices above that $2 mark."

In terms of where buyers might come from, Mr Howie said he was inclined to think there would be a greater reliance on Gippsland, Vic.

"Also, we need a rain through northern NSW and Qld - they've had a bit but we need a good rain in the next couple of weeks," he said.

"I think especially for that 250 kilogram to 300kg type calf we really do need rain in the north to give us a base order, but I do think the rate is going to be there on quality cattle."