Buyers show confidence at Wodonga

Recent rain helped to boost sentiment on light cattle at Wodonga, in one of the plainest yardings seen at the centre for some time. See the full report.

Jenny Kelly

2 min read

July 25, 2024 - 1:53PM

The Weekly Times

A lot less weight and quality but dearer calf prices at Wodonga were viewed as evidence the young store market is improving as restockers start to factor in some spring feed.

Just 1200 cattle were offered, and agents and buyers were universal in declaring it one of the

plainest yardings seen at the centre for some time.

Two-thirds of the cattle or 806 weighed less than 280kg, according to saleyard data from the NVLX.

And in this number were some very light-conditioned steers and heifers showing the

effects of the dry autumn and frosty winter.

There was just 11 steers weighing more than 400kg, which effectively meant there was no major feedlot support because there wasn’t enough cattle to suit.

Deniliquin livestock agent Ian Geddies is pictured at the Wodonga cattle market. Picture: Jenny Kelly

It was local competition that stepped up to absorb most of the yarding, in a change to recent weeks when tight feed conditions had sidelined them against stronger support and feed availability in the north.

Overall the yarding showed a 20 cent per kilogram price rise compared to the Wodonga store

sale of a fortnight ago, the average over everything sold working out to 356c/kg.

Two weeks ago on July 11 the average price was 338c/kg.

Peter Ruaro Livestock and Property – Rodwells livestock agent Scott Campbell said there was more confidence locally because paddocks were greening up.

“Anywhere that doesn’t have any mouths (stock) on it you can see a bit of growth happening,” Mr Campbell said.

“It was definitely stronger across the board, and it will be interesting to see what happens next sale in August, as there is certainly signs of better times.’’

Because the yarding was so mixed for breed and quality – and number in a pen with a lot of drafts under 10 head – the price spread in liveweight terms was quite wide.

For example, steers in the 200-280kg range were listed as costing from 155c to a top of 474c/kg to an average of 408c/kg.

Buyers at the rail at the Wodonga cattle market. Picture: Jenny Kelly

Any decent lines of young steers showing good breeding and potential were strongly supported. A noted seller at Wodonga is the Nichol family from Bethanga and their line of Angus weaners sold at $1250 for 28 at 277kg (451c/kg), followed by the seconds at 241kg for $1140 or the top price of 473c/kg.

Another quality line was from breeders Norm and Ingrid Sharp, Sharp Partnership at Cudgewa.

Norm and Ingrid Sharp, Sharp Partnership of Cudgewa had some of the heaviest young cattle in the yarding, selling 16 Angus at 360kg for $1445 or 401c. Picture: Jenny Kelly

They had some of the heaviest young cattle in the yarding, selling 16 Angus at 360kg for $1445 or 401c.

“We are reasonably happy with the price under the current conditions, as feed is still very slow coming on,’’ Norm said.

Most of the better-presented lines of Angus steer calves tracked above 400c/kg.

In the light calves, there was a big run of Herefords from R and GF Zauner, these steers and heifers showing minimal fat cover. The lead pen of steers at 201kg sold for $750 (373c), followed by $660 for 32 head at 171kg (385c), and $560 for 26 at 148kg (378c).

The heifers from the Zauner’s sold in one line of 67 Herefords at 176kg for $610 or 346c/kg.