Blue ribbon annual weaner sales start this week, with expectations for good prices
Quality weaners are expected to draw strong demand this week as the rain boosts demand. But not all agents expect a significant price hike.
Widespread rain across southern Australia is tipped to put some spring into the store cattle market as the first week of summer heralds the start of feature weaner sales.
The store market is expected to gather momentum, and while agents say the rain is always good news, some are cautious not to oversell price expectations.
In the past week, the benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator lifted 19c/kg to 646c/kg carcass weight, and feeder and restocker steers rose 10c/kg for the same period.
Euroa agents expect to sell 3500 weaners in their blue ribbon sale on Wednesday, an annual fixture that kicks off the major Victorian sales.
Elders Euroa agent Joe Allan said he doesn’t think the rain will produce a significant boost “but it definitely helps”.
“Prices were on the rise before rain came, it is just getting to that time of year when quality calves come in,” Mr Allan said.
At Wodonga, Paul and Scollard Nutrien agent Luke Deimel said the “feeling is the rain has made a big difference”.
“The mood is good, people are up and about and (the market) has got a bit of life about it now,” he said.
“I think it will put confidence into the store market for the next six to eight weeks.
“It will flow on to all categories of store stock but the lighter weights is where we will see the more significant jump.”
But while some producers would choose to sell now off the back of the rain, others – in valleys where green feed had held on – would chose to hold cattle for the traditional feature weaner sales.
But in some areas hit by a poor season, producers are not taking any chances and will sell this week.
Nutrien Colac auctioneer Phil Douglas said a number of feature lines would be offered on Friday, pushed one month earlier than the usual marketing time as producers “couldn’t face” another tough period of feeding.
Charles Stewart agent Jamie McConachy, Colac, said substantial rain in the southern Western District would not have an immediate impact on pastures, although it would help some summer fodder crops and lucerne.
He estimated 25 per cent of weaners had already been sold from the Western District and 50 per cent in the Colac district.
Prices in November had been “outstanding”, averaging 400c/kg for mixed sex weaners.
“The rain will benefit our later weaner sales, but those January sales (numbers) will be depleted in some cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the South East of South Australia Naracoorte also opens up their summer weaner selling with a two day sale this week.
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