Weaner calf sales: Stunning season boosts prospects for weaner calves
With a widespread favourable season across the east coast, and more rain on the way, demand is expected to be buoyant for young cattle in January and February next year, as restockers swoop in to rebuild depleted herds.
IT’S been a year marred by bushfire, trade tensions and a global pandemic that rattled world trade and stopped movement between states in its tracks.
But the silver lining for livestock producers is set to be strong cattle prices and good quality stock to be yarded at next month’s annual weaner calf sales.
With a widespread favourable season across the east coast, and more rain on the way, demand is expected to be buoyant for young cattle in January and February next year, as restockers swoop in to rebuild depleted herds.
Nutrien Mortlake livestock agent Josh McDonald said about 3500 mixed sex, all breeds weaner calves will be yarded at Mortlake early next month.
He said while the number of calves was down slightly on last year, the cattle would be “genuine”, well-bred calves.
“There are still a lot of calves on offer in our area, and with Mortlake, Hamilton and Casterton having their sale in the same week, there’s a fair amount in terms of numbers,” Mr McDonald said.
Mr McDonald said many producers had capitalised on strong saleyard prices throughout the year and a stellar season, and had sold drafts of weaner calves earlier than anticipated.
But Mr McDonald said saleyard numbers this summer wouldn’t suffer, as there was still “a lot of cattle that hasn’t been touched”.
“It’s all genuine cattle, and there’s a fair few producers who sold off their second run of cattle, but kept the top lots for the weaner sales,”
Mr McDonald said.
“There’s still plenty of good cattle, and plenty of weight this year.
“We’ve got green grass growing, and with the season being the way it is, there’ll be plenty of weight in the stock.”
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