If there was ever an occasion when the often used agent’s remark of “we got out of jail here today” could be deemed appropriate then Thursday’s bi-monthly store cattle sale at NVLX Barnawartha was one of those times.
Offering a larger than expected penning of 4000 head, many of which were locally consigned annual drafts, prices returned for the better bred and larger lines that ticked the boxes on weight, freshness and/or condition were seen to held firm values while lighter, dry and plain condition lots were harder to shift.
A feature of this Independent agents group sale was fewer long distance consignments were received and only a modest number of cows and calves were penned. A reduced and more particular buying field attended the sale and interstate activity was not as obvious although cattle were trucked again to Tasmania and Gippsland and the southwest of Victoria.
BUR Livestock director, Gerard Unthank said: “ it would appear most people have the view its never going to rain again. They might be right so whatever we sold today will surely make less next month he said.
Putting the sale into some context, Peter Ruaro, Rodwells said “achieving any result north of $3.00 a kilogram was a good sale on the day. We have a number that fell into that category but the small and dry cattle are getting hard to shift because our season here locally is now being questioned he said.
Sale Summary
Steers: 360-450kg made $920 to $1240 a head, average 288c/kg, 280-360kg, $745-$1060, av 288c, 200-280kg, $500-$775, av 270c/kg
Heifers: 280-360kg, $550-$1035, av 244c/kg, 200-280kg: $420-$705, av 215c/kg