Mortlake store sale: Prices continue to draw out cattle

The latest store sale at Mortlake in Western Victoria drew such a large yarding, agents were forced to split the sale in two. Find out more here.

The crowd at Mortlake earlier this year.

The prospect of selling young cattle at strong prices drew more than 5000 cattle out of Western Victoria at yesterday’s Mortlake store sale.

So many cattle were set to be yarded, the sale has since been split in two, with a spring drop weaner sale slated for next Thursday.

The yarding of 5196 steers and heifers sold to an average of 500c/kg across the sale, with feed lot buyers once again setting the pace of the sale.

About 1200 grown steers sold to strong demand, with steers weighing above 500kg selling to a top of 496c/kg.

Mortlake stock agents association president Alister Nash said the heavier end of the sale was “extremely strong”.

Steers weighing closer to 400kg consistently made more than 500c/kg, with weaner steers making returns between 520 to 560c/kg.

Lighter weight steers sold between 600c/kg to 680c/kg.

Heavy feeder heifers followed suite and sold well, with the top pens of heifers making between 450 to 475c/kg.

Weaner heifers were headlined by the 300 Moyne Falls Heifers which made between 600-650c/kg.

Mr Nash said the continuation of strong prices for young cattle continued to draw steers and heifers out before winter.

“Certainly with our spring drop weaner here in Western Victoria … because of the price we’ve seen a fair few of those sold before winter, and that’s because of the price, they’re making from $1600 to $1700, and people are opting to take that money now before winter,” Mr Nash said.

“If someone had said to me five years ago in Western Victoria we’d have a store sale this big, I would have laughed at you.

“There’s been a lot more cattle sold through the store sales, and less through the fat pens. The industry is changing.”

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