High Country weaner sales: Results from the iconic cattle sales

It’s been a long road for high country producers hit by bushfire in 2020. But prices made at last week’s mountain calf sales had many beaming along the rails. Here are the sale results.

High country weaner sales 2021 Ensay sale Wednesday March 3 2021. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

CATTLE producers across the Gippsland High Country were rewarded for their resilience after years of drought and the harrowing impact of bushfire with stellar returns for weaner calves last week.

Across two days of sales, the annual mountain calf sales saw a lift in prices for weaner steers and heifers at Benambra, Hinnomunjie, Ensay and Omeo.

Across five sales, more than 6170 steers and heifers were yarded, up on the 5749 sold at the 2020 sales.

Average prices also soared this year to $1709.50, up on the average price across the 2020 sales of $1246.

Ensay sale Wednesday March 3 2021. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

Elders Omeo livestock agent David Hill said while most pens across the four Elders sales were unweighed, most cattle were estimated to be 280-340kg.

With an average price across all four Elders sales of $1726.77, a 300kg calf was making returns of 575c/kg.

“Cattle prices as they are, are up nearly a third on what they were last year,” Mr Hill said.

With many producers still recovering after the devastating bushfires of last summer, along with years of drought, Mr Hill said the strength of prices was an important economic benefit for the local economy.

Omeo producer Brendan Ahsam, who sold the top-priced pen of steers at last Wednesday’s Hereford and roan sale made $2010, said the strength of the market was staggering.

“It’s hard to believe we’ll see these prices again,” Mr Ahsam said.

“Last year our steers averaged $1660, which was pretty good then.”

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