Leongatha store sale: Feeder steers in demand
Angus feeder steers were in demand at the Leongatha store cattle sale. See the break down of prices for steers and heifers.
Angus feeder steers were in demand at Leongatha store cattle sale last Friday.
And it resulted in good quality feeder cattle being 10-15c/kg dearer.
There were 4300 cattle yarded and there were fewer extra heavy steers and bullocks yarded than previous recent sales.
Elders Korumburra livestock manager Michael Foote said there was a good run of 400-550kg Angus feeder steers yarded and feedlot buyers dominated on these.
Mr Foote said the best weaners sold firm, while the crossbred, dairy lines and secondary types were harder to sell with buyers selective.
“There was a good field of feedlot buyers active and there was demand from local buyers as our season is good around here,” he said.
Most of the grown steers sold from $1400 to $2190, while weaner steers made $800 to $1710. Weaner heifers made from $650 up to $1380, while cows and calves made $1450 to $1950.
Mr Foote said prices for weaners remained generally steady for both the steers and heifers with some annual drafts of lighter weight Angus steers selling to a top of 400c/kg with most at 340-380c/kg for the better end.
Meg Shellcot and her father Bill, from Foster, sold 86 grown Angus steers, weighing an average 550kg, for an average of $1903. The top pen of 15 steers made $1940, or 334c/kg.
“We were happy with those prices, they reflected the condition of the cattle and the season,” Meg said.
“Prices were about as expected. We had a good summer, although it was wetter than normal, but that is reflected in the cattle as they are a bit heavier than normal, which is a good thing,” she said.
Ninety-year-old breeder, Margaret Thomas from Meeniyan sold 20 14-month-old Angus steers and was happy with the price.
Tony and Reyleen van der Heyden from Longwarry bought 67 Angus steers, weighing an average of 246kg, for $970 from vendor Elm Valley at Tarwin Lower.
“We have recently given up dairy and we are learning about this whole new game that is beef. Prices are so up and down, so we aren’t sure where these steers will end up,” Mr van der Heyden said.
“I thought about $1000 or below would be what we were willing to pay. The cattle were in excellent shape.”
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