VENDORS in the South East breathed a huge sigh of relief after the first Naracoorte weaner steer sale of 2014 on Thursday last week, with the 3343 head averaging a credible $638.
The sale started in the mid $1.70 a kilogram range but lifted as it progressed, topping at about $2.05/kg, buoyed by a number of feedlot orders and strong local support.
Those with EU-accredited calves - a third of the yarding - were well rewarded with a $40 to $50/hd premium over non-EU cattle.
The quality of the cattle was outstanding with many heavy weights in the 380-400kg range.
The placards showed the length breeders were prepared to go to present a top quality article, with most yard-weaned and large numbers eligible for the PCAS program, although there was no defined premium there.
A magnificent run of 161 Simmental/Hereford steers from LS Johnson & Son's Ross Plains property at Biscuit Flat produced the sale top of $780.
The Johnsons had sold the calves from their other Springbank property in the previous sale in December.
They received similar cents per kilogram for the calves but were in front in dollars per head keeping them for the extra month.
"The previous year we sold them all in the December sale because we had no feed but this year was a bit better. They have put on about 40kg since the last sale so we are up $70 per head," Graham Johnson said.
The 428-kg steers were bought by Thomas Foods International South East-based buyer Ben Davies to be fed at Wanderribby feedlot.
In total, Ben bought 310 EU calves for a $1.86/kg average and 41 non-EU calves at $1.69/kg.
The second highest price of $775 was also in the Elders run - three pens of Angus/Hereford/Simmental February/March drops from WV James & Son, Cooranga, Lucindale.
They sold to JM Ellis & Co, Hamilton, Vic.
In total, Cooranga sold 460 steers for a $711 average.
Elders Naracoorte livestock manager Tom Dennis said the sale was above expectation, and buyers were able to access large lines of top quality weaners.
"There was every reason it should have been weaker with no significant rain event in the north but it held strongly," he said.
"We knew we had a good geographical spread of buyers a day or so out from the sale but are rapt with it."
A welcome presence was Ray White Rural national livestock manager Brendan Jacobson who bought about 400 steers.
The 300-350kg calves will be put out on agistment in western Vic for about 10 weeks before ending up in a south-west Qld feedlot for a 120-day program.
"It got a bit dearer the longer the sale went but when I worked it out they didn't cost as much as I thought," Brendan said.
"It was a great yarding of cattle with the amount of weight in the calves more than I expected."
Naracoorte-based commission buyer Geoff Wellington was also on the front of the rail buying 221 Angus calves for S Kidman & Co to be backgrounded at Mortlake in western Vic before entering their Tungali feedlot at Sedan.
He described the 370kg-plus calves as good buying.
"The calves were well-bred and the heavy ones I was buying were a little cheaper than earlier in the week. The rest of the sale was fully firm."
The weaner sales on January 23 and 24 will feature 2200 steers and 1700 heifers.
* Full report in Stock Journal, January 16, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
