YOU only need to compare the prices achieved at the Mount Pleasant annual beef breeders and weaners cattle sale on Thursday last week to the previous year to see the huge jump in returns for beef cattle.
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While the 2015 Mount Pleasant breeder and weaner sale achieved prices well up on the previous year, they jumped again significantly at last week’s auction.
The pregnancy tested in calf heifer section had a $1640 top price. This was $570 up on last year’s $1070 highest price.
Congratulations to Heather Guthrie, of Mymore, Tungkillo, who topped this section for the fourth year in a row.
At last year’s sale cows with calves at foot made to $1240. There was a $560 jump this year with cows with calves at foot making $1800 twice.
There was a massive jump in the prices paid for unjoined heifers. Last year they made to $860. This year they jumped $580 to $1440, which was paid for two Angus-crosses from Tim and Kelly Brown, Keyneton.
Last year steers made to $970 and this year they went to $1500.
Bulls made to a healthy $2400.
Bidders came from a wide geographic area including Loxton, Orroroo and Balaklava, as well as local buyers.
If the reports on store cattle markets in the Stock Journal seem a bit fewer than usual in the next few weeks, that’s because there’s less on this month.
Both Strathalbyn and Naracoorte have been delayed until April.
Naracoorte has been delayed due to the timing of Easter.
Meanwhile, Strathalbyn has also been pushed back until greater cattle numbers come in, particularly with the annual turn-off of Partacoona cattle, from out of Quorn, due in next month.
While cattle numbers are extremely tight at the moment, for those with any to sell, prices are exceptional.
Across the border at Swan Hill, Vic, last week their fortnightly cattle sale jumped 10-15 cents a kilogram across all grades, backed by strong demand from restockers.
There was a top price of $3.73/kg achieved at the market, for vealer steers from TJ & VM Devereux, Murraydale, Vic, while vealer heifers made to $3.30/kg.
Likewise on AuctionsPlus, strong cattle prices continue to be achieved.
Last week, PTIC first calvers made $1300-$1790, to average $1560.
The top price PTIC proven breeders came from Millicent and made $1555. They were 530kg, four-year-old Angus cows, pregnancy tested to a Limousin bull.
Steers sold on AuctionsPlus and weighing under 250kg made $3.62-$4.39/kg, av $4/kg. Heifers weighing under 250kg sold from $3.05-$3.80/kg, av $3.50/kg.
Let the good times continue to roll on!
