A deep field of buyers push prices on young cattle at Mortlake

Well-bred young cattle drew a solid crowd and a depth of buyer interest as a thread of optimism weaves its way into the beef sector. See pictures of all the action.

Winnie Mann, 3, April Mann, Sybil Miller, 2, Fleur Mann and George Miller, 10 months, at the Mortlake store cattle sale on Thursday.

Western Victorian weaner steer and heifer sellers had a pleasant surprise at the 3900-head Mortlake store cattle sale today, as bids from a deep field of buyers pushed prices higher.

The quality selection of cattle, with only some showing telltale signs of a difficult season, drew strong interest from a range of buyers and would-be buyers from the south east of South Australia, southern New South Wales, Gippsland and locals, as well as feedlot operators.

With recent cool weather signalling a change in the season, the combined agents’ market had an atmosphere of optimism, and prices exceeded many sellers expectations by 10-15c/kg, and in some cases, up to $200/head.

Best weaner steers gained 20-35c/kg on the previous market, according to the National Livestock Report Service data, while plainer cattle were still up 10-20c/kg.

Heifers did not record quite as sustained a lift, but also rose by around 20c/kg, depending on type.

Spring-drop weaner Angus steers fetched 358-388c/kg and 306-358c/kg for heavier types.

Secondary lines made 250-300c/kg.

Auctioneer Jack Kelly, J & J Kelly, said while the beef market had slipped back in the past three weeks, sentiment had started to “gain more momentum again in the prime market and cattle with condition got dearer (this week) and processors are looking for cattle, and the prices are starting to reflect that”.

“This has happened pretty quickly – these prices are not records of course but they are a bit better, I’d say they are 15-20c/kg better than what we expected coming in today,” Mr Kelly said.

Most of the weaners would be heading back onto grass in areas that had good feed supplies.

Seller Tim Netherway at the Mortlake sale today.

Tim Netherway sold 107 Angus steers and heifers from a Woorndoo property, and said he was happy with the weights of his weaners despite the dry conditions.

He received 372c/kg for his 318kg steers, or $1182/head and said feeding his calves some hay and a nutrition supplement had made all the difference to help them hold condition and present well for further-afield buyers.

Jeff Spencer at the Mortlake sale.

Jeff Spencer, Glendevlin Partners, Bulart, had 15 well-presented Poll Hereford and Shorthorn-cross steers, 387kg, 10-11 months, drew 304c/kg or $1176.50. “You can’t knock that, I’m happy with that return,” he said.

“That is probably $200/head more than I expected.”

Julie and Chris Male at Mortlake.

Chris and Julie Male, Tyrendarra, saw 44 of their Green Hills Angus steers and heifers, Bassano and Weeran blood, 11 months-old, sell to strong demand. Mr Male said he started destocking in October and chose not to cut hay, but to instead prioritise the cattle and bought in hay.

Before the auction, he said if the steers fetched north of 300c/kg he would be happy. They exceeded that with one pen of 11 at 334kg knocked down at 320c/kg or $1068 and a second 11,286kg returned 338c/kg or $966.

Daryl Ryan and Graham Kelson at Mortlake today.

For Daryl Ryan, he was on hand to see his son Pat’s 10 Angus steers, 407kg sell for 328c/kg or a healthy $1338, and this was a “fair enough price on the conditions”.

“It could have been worse and they came in heavier than I thought,” Mr Ryan said.

Fleur Mann, Stonemans Family Trust, had 62 Angus young steers and 55 heifers to sell. The results included 22 steers, 320kg which made 362c/kg or $1158/head; 27 weighing 291kg fetched 370c/kg or $1076 and a further 13 steers, weighing 251kg made 350c/kg or $875.

Overall Hereford steers made from 250c to 304c/kg, black baldies were around 280-370c/kg and Euro and crosses drew 250-340c/kg.

Angus weaners heifers sold from 267-310c/kg, at best, and down around 210-266c/kg for the lesser pens. Their black baldy friends fetched 240-296c/kg and Herefords made 185-260c/kg while the Euros returned 196-278c/kg. An outlier was one pen of Simmental heifers that sold to 340c/kg. Yearling Angus heifers made from 180c to 298c, Black Baldies sold from 276c to 288c and the Euro and Euro cross heifer made from 230c to 288c/kg at Mortlake.

Meanwhile, over the South Australian border, Naracoorte agents sold 2200 store cattle, where steers over 400kg made 320-335c/kg (or up to $1600) while mid-weight steers fetched 285-310c/kg and lighter lines, 300-360c/kg.

Heifers 400kg-plus ranged from 280c/kg to 290c/kg, or up to $1400/head while 300-400kg heifers made 250-270c/kg and very light types drew 220-250c/kg. A selection of quality Angus cows with calves made $1900-$2020.

Selling action at Mortlake sale.

Mortlake selling action March 21.

Bill Wood and Frank O'Connor.