NARACOORTE FEMALES
Yarding: 733
PTIC heifers to $2000, av $1837
PTIC cows to $1500, av $1431
Cows with calves at $1340
PREGNANCY tested in calf heifers reached a $2000 high at PPHS and Spence Dix & Co's 15th annual Angus Feature Female Sale at Naracoorte on Friday.
In a small yarding, 733 Angus females, largely heifers due to calve from late February, met solid competition to average $1795.
These prices were a far cry from last year's sale when buyers were full of confidence and 1030 heifers topped at $3590 and averaged $3035 while 100 cows averaged $3004.
Spence Dix & Co director and auctioneer Jonathan Spence described it as a "fair sale" for both vendors and buyers.
"A month ago before any of the rainfall in the east we were looking at far lesser values than what we achieved but even with the price rise there were some making $100 more than we expected," he said.
"It was a great opportunity while prices were the cheapest they have been for two to thee years and as much as $1000 cheaper than last year to purchase young breeders, "
"If you look at overseas markets which are much higher this may be the window to buy."
Mr Spence commended the offering describing it as "good as he had seen" with many top bloodlines.
"There has been a fair bit of ducking and diving in the cattle market this year and not all these cattle are vendor bred, a lot of guys could easily have sold them for a lot less than they paid for them (as younger heifers) but they didn't and stuck strong to the process," he said.
Delta Produce, Sherwood, was the volume seller with 215 Stoney Point and Rennylea bloods which had been sourced as weaners and joined for six weeks to Stoney Point and Allendale bulls.
Among these females due to start calving in mid February was the best presented pen of heifers.
These sold to Connor Pastoral,Tintinara, through Spence Dix & Co for $1920.
Judge and Angus Australia board member Simone Bond said it had not been an easy task to select a winner.
"We have an exceptional line up of Angus females with tight matings, I am sure they will go home and go ahead and breed wonderfully for their new owners," she said.
Prices lifted as the sale progressed with Delta Produce's $2000 sale topping pens coming at pens 69, 70 and 71,
The three pens, each comprising 15 head, were knocked down to David and Cathie Harvey, Tauwitchere, Narrung.
Williup, Hynam, was also among the high prices receiving $1980 for 12 March/April 2022 drop heifers joined to JB Angus bulls.
Amherst Livestock Trust, Willalooka, cracked $1920 for twelve Stoney Point blood females with a tight four week joining.
For the same money Naranga Pastoral, Meningie, sold 10 EU eligible Stoney Point bloods joined to Stoney Point bulls from May 20th to July 22nd.
The only unmated females yarded were the final offering of Perry Gunner's Stoney Point stud at Meningie which has been dispersed over several years.
The two pens- May to August 2022 drops- made $1140 and $1120.
Older PTIC cows were also in short supply with the $1500 top price in the category offered by Vogelsang Partners, Padthaway.
The 20, 2014 and 2015 drop Nampara blood cows which were due to calve over eight weeks from late February sold to a PPHS Naracoorte client.
The sole pen of Angus cows with calves, 32 with 33 calves from Benmore made $1340.
The fifth to seventh calvers had been rejoined to Angus and Simmental bulls.
