There was plenty of optimism among visitors to Stock Journal Beef Week, who have seen the cattle market rebound strongly in the past month after being in free fall for much of last year.
Many of the 44 studs, which were open across the four days from February 2 to 6, reported good crowds although 40-plus degree temperatures on Sunday did make for a quieter afternoon in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.
Thomas Fogden, Nangaringa Santa Gertrudis and Boulview Charolais studs, via Loxton, who was also open that day said despite the heat, they had a fantastic day. Visitors came from Qld, NSW, Vic and locally with seven Santa bulls and one Charolais bull sold, topping at $8000, while 12 Santa heifers sold into Qld and one to NSW.
"We had two Santa bulls go into studs, which we were happy with," he said.
Boonaroo Angus stud at Casterton, Vic, which was open on Monday, had its best attendance in many years, with between 70 and 80 people through the gates.
"Considering we are a fair way away from some studs, we were rapt with that. It was a lot better than last year and the confidence was fantastic," stud principal Jodie Foster said. "Everyone was up and about."
She says Beef Week gives them a chance to showcase both their 130 sale bulls and also display a selection of the heifers, which are sisters to the bulls.
"It is nice to talk to people about their whole operations and what they want to achieve, compared to sale day which is bull focused," she said.
Beef Week acts as a great prelude to stud's on-property auction offerings and gives smaller studs a sale day.
Warrawindi Limousin stud, Penola, sold eight bulls between $6000 and $8000 by lunchtime at their field day and Bottlesford Murray Grey stud, Tungkillo, sold four bulls and nine pregnancy-tested in-calf females.
On day one, Ballyvaughan Murray Grey stud also reported good sales with six of their 10, two-year-old bulls selling as far afield as Wilcannia, NSW. They also sold nine commercial heifers and two stud heifers.
Stud principal Katrina Sanders says their attendance was also up with about 40 visitors.
"Earlier on, the weather forecast from the Bureau (of Meteorology) didn't help with confidence but most of the clients are feeling really good with the rains and the good start to the wet season up north," she said.
"They can see that now is a good time to restock because prices are not at the highs they have been but they can see the market will get there."
Four studs made their Beef Week debut including Oak Point Speckle Parks at Lucindale. Stud principal Stewart Hinze said he was pleased to sell one of his four two-year-old bulls and receive plenty of enquiries on the others.
"As a new stud it is a great chance to promote ourselves and the breed in SA, there are not too many studs here compared to the eastern states," he said.
