Cattle prices swell at Wodonga

Prices climbed a further 100 cents per kilogram liveweight for young steers at Wodonga as recent rain boosted confidence again. See the full report.

The store cattle market reacted like a sponge at Wodonga today, the rain in the north swelling up prices by almost another 100 cents per kilogram liveweight for young steers.

The 2600-head yarding was dearer across all categories as the industry continues to go through a quick reversal of the sudden downturn that hit earlier this year.

“It’s the cattle job isn’t it – just add water,’’ was the quip from Rodwell agent Justin Way whose client Millbrook from Alexandra received over 300c/kg, and a top of 325c, for a line of Shorthorn Hereford-cross steer weaners.

Agent Justin Way at the Wodonga cattle sales, 23/11/2023.

It was weaner steers in the mid and lightweight brackets that recorded the biggest gains as some northern buyers came down to compete against north east Victorian restockers who also seem to have found renewed confidence.

The dramatic change was evident in saleyard data from today’s sale, compared to the previous store market a fortnight ago.

Today 521 steers in the 280-330kg weight range sold to 351c and averaged 309c/kg lwt or $940 per head, against a top of 280c and an average of 231c/kg lwt or $695 at the sale of November 2. It marks a significant change of 80c per kilogram or $240 on a 300kg calf.

106 steers in the 200-280kg range sold to 370c and averaged 309c, lifting by nearly 100c on the average of 216c/kg a fortnight ago.

There were 530 steers 330-400kg sold to 329c and averaged 272c or $967 today, against a top of 256c; and an average of 226c or $836 earlier this month – a lift of over $100 per head.

Quality needs to be noted in the price improvement, as today’s yarding did feature several big one-mark lines that were impressive for breed quality and condition.

But even taking this into account some onlookers were still shocked by the surging market. “My god, that has to be 100c dearer than just two weeks ago,’’ said one farmer as he walked past a pen of steers selling for above 350c.

Auctioneer Craig Schubert, Schubert Boers, said the change in market sentiment was remarkable.

“It’s a different landscape all of a sudden – some cattle here might be close to 100c/kg dearer,’’ he said: “I just sold steers for 334c/kg and last sale I don’t think they would have made 250c.’’

Drilling down into the market results, he said it was obvious people were pitching their mark around the $900 to $1000 per head to get well-bred young cattle back into paddocks, and this was once again creating c/kg premiums for lighter steers.

“Everyone seems to have $900 to $1000 to buy and it is not so much about cents per kilogram,’’ he said: “And in historical terms $1000 still represents good buying.’’

NSW agency AWN Squires from Inverell purchased a run of young steers, while commission agent Graham Ward also bought a line for an undisclosed buyer in “an area where it has rained a lot’’. However, it was local north-east buyers that still seemed to dominate.

Cattle vendor Wayne Durban, of Widgiewa Station at Morundah, sold 100 Angus calves at Wodonga..

Among the feature lines of steers were 100 Angus calves bred by Wayne Durban, Widgiewa Station at Morundah. Averaging 326kg they sold for $980 or 323c/kg.

A noted draft from SpaCorp at Mansfield were well supported, 34 Angus at 292kg selling for $1025 or 351c/kg, while 20 at 254kg made 370c/kg.

Heifer prices also rallied again at Wodonga today. The main calf categories averaging 250c to

265c/kg lwt another reaching a peak of 287c/kg. A fortnight ago all the heifer averages were still tracking under 180c/kg lwt, sale records show.