Strong prices at Pakenham defy tight supply
Despite a smaller yarding, prices at today’s Pakenham store cattle sale held strong.
DWINDLING cattle numbers saw a reduced yarding at Pakenham today as producers hold out until spring.
Alex Scott and Staff livestock agent David Setches said the yarding of 1700 was a step down in numbers from last fortnight and last month.
But despite the reduced quality Mr Setches said the market was “every bit as good as what it’s been” with prices firm to slightly dearer.
Weaner steers weighing 350kg made 440c/kg while 290kg types made 480c/kg and were 10c dearer on last fortnight according to Mr Setches
Steers weighing 200-260kg were still making up to 500c/kg, while steers weighing 400-500kg made up to 430c/kg.
“We’re getting to the bottom of our spring drop calves so the quality isn’t there like it was four to six weeks ago,” Mr Setches said.
“There were less cattle so I think that stirred up a bit more competition,” Mr Setches said.
Heavy steers were eagerly sought by feedlots with grown black steers making from 415c/kg to 430c/kg.
Mr Setches said one pen made $1960.
Secondary and cross bred cattle sold to dearer rates on the previous fortnight with Angus Friesian cross cattle making “well over the 300c/kg mark”.
“Four to six weeks ago they were making 300c/kg but they took a big knock last fortnight dropping back to around 230c/kg – they were up again today though,” Mr Setchers said.
Wet and wintry paddocks in southern Victoria saw the market remain predominantly feedlot driven.
Mr Setches said “all the usual suspects” were present, including Teys Australia, JBS, Hopkins River and Elders Deniliquin.
In the heifer market the feedlots were similarly very active snagging almost all of the heavy types.
Mr Setches said the best of the Angus heifers made from 375c/kg to 400c/kg with some Hereford heifers weighing around 400kg returned 380c/kg.
Lighter weight heifers returned from $900 to $1050, averaging around 340c/kg for the smaller, poorer quality types.
Mr Setches said a few buyers who have been in attendance in previous weeks were not present due to stricter border regulations but agents from south Gippsland were more active than they have been in the last two to four weeks.
“I think there was more agent competition on the lighter weight steers,” Mr Setches said.
“Even though it’s still wet here, I think people are realising all the lines of cattle that have gone early which would normally be sold in our spring store sales won’t be there so they want to secure cattle now.”
– PETRA OATES
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