WHILE prices on 250 to 350 kilogram Angus steers were on par with October, returns across all other categories took a sizable step back at Strathalbyn's monthly store cattle sale on Friday last week.
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Heifers were generally back 20 to 40 cents a kilogram across the board, while heavy and lighter steers were about 30c/kg down on last month.
Elders' Danny Reynolds quoted 350 plus kg steers at $2/kg and 250-350kg steers at $2.55/kg, while 350-450kg heifers were quoted at 1.65/kg and 250-350kg heifers at $1.90/kh.
"The heavy feeder steers started proceedings and sold for around $2.00 to $2.20/kg live weight equivalent, and ranging from $780 to $1050," he said.
"They were generally 30 to 40c/kg easier than a month ago.
"The strength of the steer sale was in the lines of quality black steers in that 250kg to 350kg weight range, with prices generally averaging $2.50 to $2.60/kg, to be firm on the previous sale."
Nutrien's Bradley Walker said more competition on 320-350kg Angus steers was starkly evident.
"I think that category could have been 10-15c/kg dearer, while heavier steers to regular feedlotters were on par," he said.
Mr Walker said there was good buying competition on Angus breeding heifers that tailed off on lighter and coloured cattle.
"Overall, there was a good crowd and genuine interest," he said.
"I think people are now seeing the value in buying some of these cattle. Some people are looking to buy cattle with a bit of weight in them to do a short-term weight gain on them."
Nutrien reported that feedlot buyers from the Upper South East, Murraylands and Riverland were prevalent, while well-bred and presented weaners sold well.
More weaners will be offered in the upcoming pre-Christmas sales on November 17, and December 1 and 15.
The most sought after pen of the sale was 22 Angus dispersal PTIC heifers from TR&JA Butler, Victor Harbor, which were knocked down for $1600.
Other proven breeders were among the few pens to crack the $1000 mark, including 18 Murray Grey cows with 18 Murray Grey/Shorthorn calves at foot from M&M Jones that fetched $1180.
Leading the way on the steers were 10 Hereford crosses, 2022-drop and 516kg, from C Bond & L Riemelmoser that attracted $1090 or $2.11/kg from Thomas Foods International.
Others to surpass $1000 were 5 February/March 2023-drop Angus steers, 526kg, from the Butlers that made $1050 or $2/kg, and 12 Angus, 439kg, from Manyara Holdings, Balhannah, that made $1020 or $2.32/kg.
Other strong price for weight results included 13 Pathfinder-blood Angus steers, April/May-drop and 345kg, that returned $860 or $2.49/kg for Hillstream Holdings, Mount Pleasant, while Orchard Branch P/L, Victor Harbor, received $850 or $2.49/kg for its 15 Lancaster-bld Angus steers, 342kg.
J&M Barolo made $830 or $2.67/kg for 12 Angus steers, 311kg, while 11 Angus, 321kg, from A&J Cooper, Langhorne Creek, returned $830 or $2.59/kg.
Beerenberg, Hahndorf, received the same rates on a dollars a kg basis for its 16 Angus steers, 317kg, that made $820 a head, while Myora led the way in that regard with its 18 Angus, 266kg, attracting $2.97/kg or $790.
Unjoined heifers sold to $900 or $1.80/kg for a pen of 501kg heifers to TFI.
Making $750 were Manyara Holdings and the Butlers - Manyara for its nine October/November 2022-drop Angus, 382kg, at $1.96/kg and the Butlers for five Angus, 449kg, at $1.67/kg.
There were few pens to surpass $2/kg, but those that did included Hillstream Holdings' 20 April/May-drop Pathfinder-blds, 316kg, that made $660 or $2.09/kg, and six Newlyn Park-blds, 338kg, from Ausmei, Meadows, that made $700 or $2.07/kg.
