Casterton weaner sale prices shock, with rates up $400 on last year
Prices at today’s Casterton weaner sale have surprised many bidders, with some pens making around $400 more than at the same time last year.
CASTERTON’S opening weaner sale today produced rates as strong as the first Western District market at Hamilton the day before.
The strength of the auction surprised many, but for most calf breeders it was their first opportunity to realise the astonishing prices seen this season.
Many noted this week’s returns were around $400 above the rates of last year, with many sales in the low 500c/kg.
Several buyers judged the sale as five to 10c/kg stronger than Hamilton, but the cattle were perhaps slightly lighter on average.
The 2400 steers yarded yesterday, weighing an average of 336kg sold for an average price of 502c/kg or $1691.
Feedlots and grass finishers put their hands up but again it was notable that the major processors were not dipping their toes in the water, leading several onlookers to question the sustainability of the high prices.
Red Cap breeders like Ian and Donna Spratling, Westral sold two pens of EU Angus steers. Their top pen made $1893 – this was nine weighing 396kg which were knocked down at 478c/kg – and 21 that made $1716.
These weighed 344kg and sold at a bid of 499c/kg. .
“Those prices are about $400 up on last year,” Ian said.
“I hope to see prices like this again but I don’t know if we ever will.”
Other indicative sales included West Ridge’s 24 Angus steers, EU accredited, weighing 349kg that sold for 508c/kg or $1773.
Other sales saw cents per kilogram rates of 530c/kg; such as Mary Vale’s 30 Angus steers, 322kg, or $1707.
Kilara’s 17 EU accredited Angus steers weighing 402kg made 482c/kg or $1938.
Glencairn had seven steers weighing 427kg that were sold for 455c/kg or $1943.
Tora Downs sold 21 Angus weighing 380kg for 488c/kg or $1854.
In the lighter steers, Batalon sold 26 black baldies weighing 312kg for 528c/kg or $1647.
Illustrating the extraordinary prices, retired agent Sim Flanders noted that just a few years ago he was selling calves at Casterton for an average of “$500 a head, not 500c/kg”.
Buyers flocked to the small saleyard from across the eastern states with Gippslanders going head to head with South Australians and New South Welshmen alike.
Major buyers included Kellco Livestock Agency, Nutrien Leongatha, Hopkins River Pastoral, Miller Whan and John Mount Gambier SA, Warragul’s Alex Scott and Staff agency, Elders Holbrook and Ray White.
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