Heifer prices jump up to $300 at Colac cattle sale

Rain put a spring in the step of buyers and vendors alike at Colac with the prices of most grades of cattle up 30-40c/kg. See the full report and pictures.

Colac’s cattle sale experienced the lift in livestock confidence first-hand as heifers lifted up to $300 and most grades of cattle were up 30-40c/kg last week.

In a sure sign that momentum in the market is changing, a huge crowd, judged as one of the biggest at the centre for years, watched as NSW buyers, feedlotters and locals competed for the offering of 1650 cattle.

A breakdown of the market statistics showed:

161 COWS and calves topped at $2400 and averaged $1959.

904 STEERS sold to $1420 and averaged $973.

444 HEIFERS sold to $1080 and averaged $742.

Nutrien agent Phil Douglas described the sale as “very strong” with the biggest gains for some lines of heifers, and for cows and calves.

Graeme Smith, Irrewarra Simmentals selling at the Colac cattle sale last week. Pictures: Nicole Cleary

“We were offered $1300 to $1500 for Angus cows with spring calves a month ago in the paddock, and we said no,” Mr Douglas said.

“Those cows and calves averaged $2200.

“It was the strongest sale we’d had at Colac since January.”

There were several lines of cows and calves, including a draft of mixed age Angus cows with spring-drop calves from Riverside at Werneth, which averaged $2200.

Mr Douglas said Colac’s yarding had some of the first drafts of true weaner steers which were autumn drop from this year, and they sold to good competition.

Tilly Kelly, Will Kelly and Brendan Kelly from Winchelsea selling at the Colac cattle sale last week.

He said weaner steers heavier than 280kg all made more than $1000, or 300c/kg or more.

There were also drafts in the sale which were normally retained for early summer sales.

He sold some of his own steers, a line of Angus, for $1260 or one of the best weaner steer prices of the day. At 380kg liveweight, they came back at 331c/kg while the second run, weighing 348kg, made $1200 or 345c/kg.

Selling action at the Colac store cattle sale.

Another of the high performing drafts was from Paul and Sue Lenehan from Larpent, who sold pure Charolais weaner steer calves weighing 424kg for $1260, or 297c/kg. The 370kg heifers from the same draft sold close to this, at $1030, and returned 278c/kg.

“I would say that our sale was 30-40c/kg dearer for some lines than Mortlake the week before, and that’s not criticising the offering there, but shows how quickly the market is moving at the moment.”

At the heavier end of steers, northern NSW buyers were active as was Garrison Feedlot.

Heifer prices also had a big jump, with some lines making more than 300c/kg.

Mr Douglas said most heifers were making “well north of 200c/kg”.

Selling action at the Colac store cattle sale.

Graeme and Sandra Splatt from Weering sold black baldies at the Colac cattle sale.

Alan Carew, Eric Stinchcombe and George Bath at the Colac store cattle sale.

Lindsay Robb, Camperdown and Don Swayn, Camperdown at the Colac store cattle sale.