Yea store sale: Prices reach dizzying heights
“Grass-drunk” producers snatched up cattle at dizzying prices at the Yea store sale with medium-weight steers almost hitting 600c/kg.
A YARDING of just over 1500 cattle in good spring condition sold to elevated rates once again at the Yea store sale last week.
Prices reached dizzying heights across the board with one would-be buyer commenting people had “no respect for money these days”. But those who managed to secure cattle remarked at the quality of weight and condition on cattle that have been thriving in an abundance of grass feed.
Heavy cattle returned around 420c/kg to 430c/kg with one of the top-priced steers lots selling for $2170 or 424c/kg for a lot of 12 Angus at 511kg offered by Glenara Angus. They were bought by Elders Yea.
Steers weighing from 300kg to 380kg returned from 420c/kg to 500c/kg while steers weighing between 250kg to 300kg continually made from 530c/kg and up to 546c/kg for a lot of four, 10 to 11-month-old Angus weighing 260kg by vendors I & P Sichlau.
Tyson Bush from Nutrien Ag solutions in Yea said the strength of the market was “hard to put into words” and only looked like it was getting stronger with the recent heavy rain feeding pasture growth.
“There is a shortage of cattle and everyone is grass drunk and they’re going mad to get cattle to put onto it. But there needs to be a happy medium for everyone to make money.”
“There is a level (it gets to dear) but people who are stepping into (the market) at $1500 or $1600 have just sold bullocks for $2300.”
The heifer portion of the yarding sold equally well with heavy heifers weighing from 450kg to 500kg returning from 380c/kg to around 400c/kg.
Heifers from 300kg to 400kg made from 390c/kg to 440c/kg and lighter heifers from 230kg to 300kg averaged well over 500c/kg with some lots nearing 600c/kg. Campsie Glen sold 31 Angus heifers, 235kg for $1280 or 544c/kg.
The strength of the market meant most cattle sold to feedlots and commission buyers with all the major players present including Hopkins River, Teys Australia, Garrison feedlot and the AFA Conargo feedlot. Local producers and backgrounders from Gippsland and central Victoria were also present.
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