Cattle market reaches a new level at Yea store sale

Some lighter cattle have fetched $200 more at Yea where the latest store sale is being described as “exceptionally dearer”.

Kevin Ryan from Darraweit Guim sold 43 Angus steers to a top of $2000 for 20 at 315kg at the Yea store sale. His seconds made 707c/kg for 23 at 277kg. Picture: Petra Oates

The cattle market has once again found a new level at Yea today with some lighter cattle $200 dearer in places.

“The heavy feeder-type steers sold to firm rates but once you got under 400kg, all the way down to the light 230kg weaners, it was exceptionally dearer,” Elders agent Jamie Quinlan said.

Steers above 500kg returned from 470c/kg to 480c/kg while types above 400kg made from 500c/kg to 530c/kg.

From there the market took off, nearing a massive 800c/kg in some places for very light calves. Those weighing 250kg-350kg returned from 600c/kg to 700c/kg.

A remarkable 780c/kg was made by Simms Farming who sold 26 Angus steers at 214kg for $1670. Mr Quinlan said the Simms pen was “as dear as I’ve ever seen”, cents-a-kilogram wise.

“I’ve said for the last three or four months that it can’t get any dearer but it continues to. I don’t know where it stops,” Mr Quinlan said.

Kevin Ryan from Darraweit Guim sold 43 Angus steers to a top of $2000 for 20 but was even more impressed by his second pen of 23 at 277kg which bidders pushed to a huge 707c/kg.

Mr Quinlan estimated that Mr Ryan’s second pen would have made “near $200 dearer than last sale”.

Feedlot buyers operating down to lower weights and “picking up cattle they wouldn’t normally buy for a rate they wouldn’t normally pay”, Mr Quinlan said, as heavy cattle were in short supply today.

A handful of local bullock fatteners and backgrounders took home cattle but the market was dominated by feedlots and commission buyers.

With the spring selling season now in sight, Mr Quinlan said it would be one for the history books and time to cash in for any producers still holding on to last years spring-drop calves.

“I think it will be a record-breaking weaner selling season,” he said.

“Anyone who has held these spring calves through to 400kg, they’re going to get $2500 to $2700. But a lot of them have already been sold because the price is so good.”