Leongatha: what cattle prices gained the most.

Cattle fortunes have changed in store markets and vendors are ending sales richer. Full analysis here.

Lot feeders were the dominant force at Leongatha’s store cattle market last week, where prices were judged up to $150 dearer.

The lift was a welcome result for vendors who had weight in cattle, with the heaviest lines showing the biggest rise.

Nutrien auctioneer Brian McCormack said all cattle were 10-20c/kg dearer than they were at the centre three weeks ago, and some lines could have been 30c/kg dearer.

“There has been a bit of rain up north, and it has slowed the numbers down a bit,” Mr McCormack said.

“We always have strong feedlot competition, but we had Charlton (feedlot) back in the market again that we haven’t seen for two or three months.

“Feedlots seem to feel like they need to get a few more numbers.”

Nutrien offered nearly 60 per cent of the 3700 yarded, with a feature line a draft of 180 European Union-accredited Angus steers offered by Kuch Grazing.

Brenton Kuch, from Darriman, sold 180 Angus steers at the Leongatha cattle sale. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The top pen of 23, which weighed 553kg, sold for $2320 or 419c/kg, with the next pen, at 545kg, sold for $2220 or 407c/kg. Another three pens weighing 529-535kg made $2230 or 416-421c/kg while the lightest pen, 23 weighing 511kg, made $2200 or 430c/kg.

Brenton Kuch sold his own pen of 18 Angus, 520kg, for $2140 or 411c/kg.

SEJ auctioneer Jim Kyle said most feeder steers sold from 350-400c/kg thanks to the strong support from a range of feedlot buyers.

SEJ auctioneer Jimmy Kyle, from Leongatha. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“We saw that the prices that were most affected by the rise were at heavier end, for steers that weighed 480-580kg, and they could have been anywhere from $50-$150 dearer than our last sale,” Mr Kyle said.

He said a sale which was indicative of the competition for heavy Angus was a pen of 580kg steers which sold for $2390 or 412c/kg, a good rate for cattle with weight.

“I would say that the feedlotters would have taken a third of the yarding and would have been dominant on anything over 500kg (live weight),” Mr Kyle said.

Some of the selling action at the Leongatha cattle sale. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

While the sale was dominated by heavier cattle, there were drafts of weaners, and Mr McCormack said better calves consistently made more than 400c/kg.

A standout result was achieved by Roger Davies, where two buyers locked horns to try to secure his pen of Angus steer calves. The 10-month-old weaners, which weighed 321kg, made $1730 to return 539c/kg.

Meanwhile, one of the best prices for heifers was $1500 paid for a pen of 16 Angus sold by M Johnston. The 14-month-old females, which weighed 378kg, returned 396c/kg.

Mr McCormack said most heifers weighing from 320-400kg sold from 350c/kg to 390c/kg.