Major feedlot leads race at Yea store cattle sale

A rare appearance by a key feedlot buyer at Yea’s monthly store cattle market — along with processor support — has driven strong results.

Feedlots and restockers took the bulk of the yarding at Yea last week. Picture: Chloe Smith

Feedlot competition led prices to another strong result at Yea on Friday of last week, with Teys Australia making a rare appearance at the monthly store market.

There was also some processor support, with the top steer price of $2820 paid by the Australian Meat Group for a pen of 15 Angus steers that were bullock weight at 654kg, representing 431 cents per kilogram liveweight.

Teys, which hasn’t been at the centre for many years, according to local agents, paid to $2380 for 500kg steers and dominated the front laneway, purchasing eight pens in succession against competitors Garrison Feedlotters from Swan Hill, and ABJ Brien & Sons from Coonamble, NSW.

And what didn’t suit feedlots was snapped-up by local and North East restockers, with South Gippsland support hampered by the extreme wet weather and flooding in that area of the state.

Overall there was 1630 cattle sold for an average of $1647 per head.

The breakdown was an average of $1756 for 916 steers sold, and $1466 for 672 heifers.

The dollar-per-head price averages were higher than the last sale in late May which was a special weaner sale that had younger calves with less weight.

Selling agent Ryan Sargeant, Elders Yea, said prices were solidly within the ballpark of recent store markets.

“It was very similar to what we have been seeing,’’ he said.

“Having Teys operate, which we haven’t seen here for a good eight years, was a massive inclusion on the heavier cattle and if they didn’t buy all the black steers 350kg or better they were the underbidder.

“South Gippsland probably didn’t buy the volume of cattle they usually do but they still had a presence.’’

The price point for heavier steers was 430c to 490c/kg for most pens sold to feedlots, with the pick of the younger steers to the paddock costing upwards of 550c/kg liveweight.

The bigger lines of spring drop calves continued to sell well, notable sales including:

* 23 Angus from G Sheehan at 276kg which made $1760, representing 637c/kg;

* 30 Angus from P Ingham weight 263kg at $1630 or 623c/kg;

* 28 Angus from Kopanica at 273kg which made $1660 or 608c/kg.

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