Leongatha store sale: Prices and sentiment subdued

The sentiment along the rails at today’s Leongatha store cattle sale was subdued as returns on cattle continue to be cheaper.

Leongatha sale would have struggled if it wasn’t for the feedlots and butchers.

That was the sentiment at today’s Leongatha store cattle sale, where more than 3800 steers, heifers and cows and calves were penned.

And despite recent warm, wet weather in the area, the lack of local buyers was evident, with a small crowd and buying support mostly dominated by feedlot buyers.

Prices for lighter, quality calves was promising, with cattle weighing upwards of 345kg making between 317c/kg liveweight and 369c/kg.

Nutrien Leongatha livestock agent Eddie Hams said the quality of some calves was sound, and sold well.

However, prices dropped with the quality “as the tops were gone”.

A pen of 29 Angus steers by producers Hazelview of Middle Tarwin made 364c/kg liveweight, or $1010 a head.

Action from the Leongatha store cattle sale Friday August 11 2023. Picture: Madeleine Stuchbery

One pen of 16 Angus steers, weighing 480kg and offered by producers JW and BJ Dunbar of Traralgon sold for $1670, or 389c/kg.

But condition ofcattle was varied across the sale, with smaller, scrappier-looking Friesian calves selling as low as $150 a head.

Many agents acknowledged the strength of competition between feedlot buyers and butchers, with one remarking “without the feedlots, we’d be buggered.”.

Arawata producer Katrina Adkins bought a conservative number of cattle based on the condition presented in the pens, and the general sentiment of the market.

She bought three individual Angus steers weighing about 300kg for $400 a head.

“It’s very cheap,” Ms Adkins said.

“There’s a lot of cattle in here. But I feel like (prices) are going to drop again. Some cattle’s condition in here are good But some are pretty bad.”

Ms Adkins said she felt the cost of living was another price pressure putting hesitancy in the market.