Mortlake store cattle sale: Prices fall despite quality

Prices dropped by up to 45c/kg when 4625 cattle went under the hammer at Mortlake. See the full breakdown of prices.

A total of 4625 cattle went under the hammer at Mortlake yesterday.

Despite a more extensive gallery of buyers, the prices were still up to 45c/kg cheaper for yearling steers.

In keeping with the widespread trend across the cattle markets, yearling steers were 25c to 45c cheaper, and yearling heifers were 15c to 35c/kg less.

Agent Glenn Judd of Southern Grampians Livestock.

Southern Grampians Livestock and Real Estate Mortlake agent Glenn Judd said prices were cheaper than a month ago.

However, buyers were prepared to pay for the well-bred quality lines of cattle.

He said there was some renewed interest from restockers.

“South of Mortlake, there has been some good rain, but to the north, it is a bit dry,” he said.

“Anything with breeding and quality sold well,” he said.

Agent Bernie Grant of LMB Livestock, Mortlake.

Bernie Grant of LMB Livestock said it was a reasonable time for restockers to enter the market. He said prices hadn’t been at these levels for four years.

“Calves weighing 250kg to 300kg were being sourced by restockers,” he said.

Meat and Livestock Australia market reporter Tim Delaney said heifer weaner cattle were 30c to 60c/kg, cheaper except light Angus heifers which sold firm.

Angus steer weaners sold from 338c to 464c/kg, and lighter pens made from 442c to 490c/kg to make 411c to 425c/kg.

The British breeds sold from 346c to 388c/kg. European weaner steers made 310c to 398c/kg, and the Hereford steer weaners sold from 370c to 390c/kg.

Heifer Angus weaners made 320c to 414c/kg and averaged 355c/kg.

The European weaner heifers weighing more than 330kg sold from 270c to 358c/kg.

The medium Angus heifers made 285c to 370c/kg, with a pen of Red Angus heifers selling to 376c/kg.

Lighter European-cross heifers sold from 280c to 350c/kg, and Hereford heifer weaners made from 255c to 312c/kg.

Heavy steers made from 332c to 364c/kg. The Angus yearling steers above 400kg sold from 280c to 400c/kg, with other breeds making from 320c to 378c/kg.

Angus steers under 400kg made 316c to 400c/kg, and Herefords sold from 330c to 355c/kg. Angus yearling heifers made from 270c to 380c/kg, and the Herefords sold from 276c to 330c/kg.

Windy View Farming sold 39 grown Angus steers, weighing 479.1kg for 400c/kg, to make $1998.40. WJ JM and SW Kinnealy sold 30 Angus-grown steers weighing 510kg for 370c/kg for $1887. Bligh Pastoral Company sold 18 Angus-grown steers weighing 428.9kg for 394c/kg or $1689. FG and PG Van Bergen sold 20 Angus cross weaner steers weighing 399.8kg for 416c/kg or $1663. Devondale sold 17 Angus steer weaners, 387.9kg, for 414c/kg, $1605.

M and HM Castle sold 10 Angus cross weaner steers weighing 392kg for 392c/kg or $1536.

In the heifer section, GW and ME Leddin sold 20 Angus weaner heifers weighing 340.3kg for 414c/kg or $1408.

Kilkenny Pastoral sold 42 Angus-cross grown heifers weighing 400.6kg for 380c/kg or $1522.