Feeder cattle prices lift 20c/kg with fierce interstate bidding

Farmers’ winter punts have paid off today with fierce bidding from interstate buyers, ahead of a possible shortage in spring-drop calves.

“Extremely strong” feeder competition at Leongatha’s store cattle sale has led to vendors taking home $300 a head more than anticipated.

Alex Scott and Staff livestock manager Dave Setches said feeder cattle were 15-20c/kg dearer than a fortnight ago and 500-600kg steers topped at 460c/kg but mostly made between 420c/kg and 450c/kg.

He said quality heifers made about 400c/kg, particularly if they were feeder cattle.

“I noticed spring-drop steers might’ve been a touch easier than a fortnight ago, which is probably quality related,” he said.

“If you’ve got cattle in the feeder category, they’re dominating the sale here today.”

Alex Scott and Staff livestock manager Dave Setches. Picture: Rachel Simmonds

There were 5045 steers and heifers, 42 cows and calves yarded at Leongatha on Thursday.

Mr Setches said buyers were from “all points of the compass” with NSW, Queensland and South Australian bidders competing.

Buyers included Australian Meat Group, Southern Cattle Co, Ross Campbell, AFA, JBS Australia and Teys Charlton.

Mr Setches believed there would be a shortfall of spring-drop calves due to producers selling earlier than normal.

“Hopefully we get a wet back-end of winter and it’ll set our spring up,” he said.

“When the cattle are carrying a bit of condition and a bit of weight, you take the money.”

Pakenham farmer Stephen Jones sold heifers at the Victorian Livestock Exchange. Picture: Rachel Simmonds

Pakenham farmer Stephen Jones sold 18 heifers, 431kg, for $1720 or 399c/kg. He said he expected about $1300-$1400 for the pen.

“I’ve got the pick that goes to Greenhams, and I buy in. Here I’m getting rid of the tail end, so we’re just looking after the ones we’ve got,” he said.

“Some weeks (the market is) up, and you see the cattle in here, and the feedlotters or commission buyers have the quota it quietens down. They’re all back again because they’re working out there won’t be many around.”

Thorpdale producer and potato grower Sam Carpinteri sold 40 steers at Koonwarra. Picture: Rachel Simmonds

Thorpdale potato grower and cattle producer Sam Carpinteri manages 500 breeders, and his top pen of Angus steers, weighing 525kg, made $2350 or 447c/kg. He also sold nine Charolais-Angus steers, 478kg, for $2000 or 418c/kg.

“The prices are very good. It’s surprised me how dry it is up here but the cattle are going well,” he said.

“In Thorpdale, we’ve only had about 16mm, there are a lot of other places getting 50-60mm.”

Trafalgar farmer Hugh Middleton and his farm manager Ben Farrell at Koonwarra. Picture: Rachel Simmonds

Trafalgar farmer Hugh Middleton sold 142 cattle including 68 steers and 74 heifers. He typically sold at Yea, but due to the cattle’s lighter condition decided to sell locally. He topped the Yea sale in 2024.

He had about 320 cattle across two properties.

“It’s been good up on the high country,” he said.

His farm manager Ben Farrell said they had enough feed to get through, but it was “touch and go”.

Nar Nar Goon farmer Geoff Murray sold 21 Angus steers including eight Angus, 560kg, for $2490 or 444c/kg and 13 Angus, 520kg, for $2300 or 442c/kg.

He decided to sell more due to a lack of feed, and had sold steers two weeks’ prior.

“The market is pretty good,” he said. “We’ve only had about 2-3mm (at one time), in the past week we’ve had about 11mm.”