Feedlots lead to 400 cent plus price average at Ballarat store sale
A commission buyer snapped up the majority of the yarding at the Ballarat store cattle sale, where prices hit a top of $2370. See the full results and analysis.
Feedlots led a 400 cent plus price average for black steers at Ballarat today in an outcome
described as “unbelievable”, considering the dire conditions facing the southwest region and the large industry sell-off of cattle.
Pens of heavy grown steers sold to $2370 while weaners off pellets with weight reached $1830.
Saleyard data showed all main categories of Angus steers, weighing above 200kg, averaged from 403 to 428 cents per kilogram liveweight.
“I would have to say its been outstanding considering the way conditions are – unbelievable really to have this money as in other drought years there has been terrible stories of people nearly having to give their stock away,’’ said Charles Stewart auctioneer Jamie McConachy.
While there wasn’t a big crowd in attendance, the sale had buyer support at all levels led by the major feedlots on grown and heavier steers and heifers which could go onto grain, followed by northern NSW and Queensland demand for backgrounding stock under 350kg and then by opportunity buyers on the lightest calves under 200kg.
Bidding was dominated by commission buyer Campbell Ross who purchased more than half the yarding of nearly 5000 cattle.
The Weekly Ties understands most were destined for backgrounding and feeding in the north, including destinations like Narrabri and Moree.
Mr Ross was also a volume buyer at Mortlake store cattle sale, the day before.
Breeder Vic Brown from Mryniong sold the opening pen of Angus weaner steers, with 20 steers off pellets weighing 427kg and selling for $1830 or 428c/kg lwt.
“Our country is just hanging in at Myrniong but we have been feeding pretty heavy, while we have cows calving at Wycheproof and we’ve being putting them out on the roadside and feeding hay as well. There is just nothing in the paddocks,’’ he said.
“We are very fortunate to be able to sell stock for decent money as it hasn’t always been like that in other dry years.’’
The silver lining from the store market hanging strong was that it gave producers a viable option to quit young cattle amid rising and extreme feed costs, agents said. Ballarat has scheduled an extra store sale this month, selling again in a fortnight’s time on May 30.
“This is money too good to ignore as the cost of carrying cattle is just extreme,’’ Mr McConachy said: “We are now seeing round bales advertised at $200 each and that is just unsustainable.’’
One of the biggest lines in the yarding was 200 Angus weaner steers bred by Margaret and John Halliburton, Boiardo at Bookaar north of Camperdown.
Sold in three runs the first 133 steers at 319kg sold for $1370 (429c/kg); followed by 120 head at 289kg for $1250 (432c); and the final pen of 54 head at 259kg for $1140 (440c).
Margaret said they had hoped to keep the calves and follow their usual system of getting them to feedlot weights, but the pressure from the unrelenting dry had forced their hand.
“Things have really got tougher in the last few weeks, we’ve been at Bookaar since 1986 and I’ve never seen it like this . . And then you look at your hay reserves,’’ she said
“Thank goodness there is feed and water up north and cattle are still selling well.’’
Most of the yarding was Angus steers and the following is a breakdown of prices by supply and weight, noting the influx of light spring drop calves being sold early:
– 124 grown steers 500-600kg, $2060 to $2320 to average 423c/kg;
– 196 grown steers 400-500kg, $1480 to $2120 to average 423c/kg
– 112 grown steers 300-400kg, $1350 to $1600 to average 406c/kg;
– 170 weaner steers 330-400kg, $1170 to $1600 to average 403c/kg;
– 536 weaner steers 280-330kg, $1000 to $1370 to average 421c/kg and
– 644 weaner steers 200-280k to $1250 to average $1010 at 411c/kg.
These above prices were for straight bred Angus steers. There was crossbred and coloured steers which sold from 250c to 400c depending on breed quality and type.
Agents didn’t display the weight of most of the really light conditioned calves under 200kg and these mostly sold in a range of $600 to $840 per head.
Heifers rounded out the strong sale at Ballarat by posting averages above 320c/kg across the main run of Angus pens. Once again the market was led by feedlots, as evidenced by the heavier heifers from 330-500kg selling to 397c to average from 360c to 380c/kg lwt.
Lighter heifers didn’t make these rates but were quoted as dearer by selling agents as the price gap between grades started to tighten up. The main run of 276 Angus heifers weighing 200-280kg averaged 320c/kg at an average of $740 per head. This is a better result than last month when light heifers sold at the Ballarat store sale averaged under 300c/kg, according to saleyard data.
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