Influx of cows and calves hit the Ballarat market
Limited feed and rain has forced beef producers to sell cows and calves, as increased numbers hit Ballarat. See how the prices unfolded.
Limited feed and rain has forced the hands of western district vendors at Ballarat, with further cows hitting the market.
But Ballarat CVLX vendors who were offering females, cows and calves sale were reportedly happy with the prices.
The sale had 1524 cattle in total, as 546 cow and calf outfits made a top price of $2760 and averaged $1820. Pregnancy Tested In Calf heifers sold to $2620 with an average of $1810, and PTIC cows made a top price of $2240 and averaged $1704.
Nutrien Ballarat auctioneer Xavier Shanahan said there were more cows and calves than usual, and heifers presented well.
“The cattle job in the last fortnight has really come under pressure,” he said.
“It’s fair to say we got what we expected might happen. You had to heed what happened in the past few weeks.”
Mr Shanahan said the feed and water situation was “much worse” than current prices. He said cattle were headed locally, and to Leongatha, Echuca, Casterton, Warrnambool and Hamilton.
Wimmera Downs vendor Brett Stewart, from Greens Creek, sold 160 joined heifers in total, and said the prices were a sign of the times.
He also bought cows with calves at foot.
“Everyone is in the same boat, no water, no feed,” he said.
“It’s the worst we’ve ever seen it.”
Mr Stewart said they had 5mm of rain in the past week.
Wimmera Downs sold 14 Angus heifers PTIC to Banquet blood bull, Sept-Oct 2022 drop, to calve 6/6 for six weeks, for $1860, and 15 Angus heifers PTIC to Banquet blood bull, Oct 2022 drop, 6/6 for six weeks, for $1800.
They also sold 18 PTIC to Banquet blood bull, Sept-Oct 2022 drop, calving 6/6 for six weeks, for $2120 and 17 for $1900.
Annette Cocking, from Amphitheatre, said they usually sold about this time of year, but lacked feed and water at home.
“We got a thunderstorm but they don’t do anything, they fill the house tanks and that’s about it,” she said.
“Mount Cole was on fire last year and we had cattle over there too, there’s just no rain. That’s 90 per cent of the reason all these cows are at Ballarat.”
She said they were due to sell steers at the next two Ballarat sales.
Jenny Jarmain, from Ballan, said she was understocked and looked to buy.
“I need some younger cows in calf, I reckon it’s a good time to buy, but it’s sad the way the water is for a lot of farmers,” she said.
“I can afford to have a bit of a punt, I’m selling heifers and steers (about 30) at the weaner sale at the end of the month here.”
Matthew O’Hanlon, from Myrniong, had about 110-head of cattle at home and said he was “more than happy” with the prices. He said they had 47mm of rain during the storm last week.
“The reason we put them in is due to water and feed. We were forced to lighten the load off,” he said.
“Normally I’d hang onto these cows and calve them down, but we ran out of feed where we had them, and the water is low so we thought it was best offloading them now.”
Phil Cocking, from Amphitheatre, said the prices were “really good”. He sold 11 cows and 13 calves, to a top price of $2760.
He said they had 28mm of rain on Sunday.
Mr Cocking said they had a further 21 calves to sell at the end of February, as part of their dispersal.
“I think the market is really good, especially with so many cattle coming through to the market and it’s so dry everywhere. I think the cattle job has held up really well,” he said.
Vendors hope for more at Wangaratta
Wangaratta saleyards has drawn 5500 cattle at its blue ribbon sale on Friday. See the prices, photos and vendors’ commentary.
Dry season takes a toll at Leongatha
Cheaper prices meant good buying for restockers at the Leongatha store sale, but vendors took a hit due to the dry conditions. See the sale report.