Tasmanian cattle meet the market

Prices trended upward at the Powranna cattle sale in Tasmania, in stark contrast to competing markets.

Powranna cattle sale in Tasmania has bucked the market price free-fall trend with values up to $200 dearer on Thursday.

In the second weaner cattle sale in the past two weeks in Tasmania, prices improved, with restockers and processors competing against mainland interests to secure the yarding of 2641 cattle.

Elders auctioneer, Allan Perry of Devonport, said the heavier steers were $100 dearer than the previous week’s sale at Powranna, and he estimated that some pens of well-bred cattle were up to $200 dearer.

“Some of the smaller steers were $200 dearer as well,” he said.

Mr Perry said an interstate buyer secured about 200 cattle, and that helped to boost the market.

“It’s also one of the best line-ups of Angus cattle that you would find anywhere in the country, and that was an absolute credit to the vendors,” he said.

It was the quality, and tried-and-true genetics that Mr Perry said acted as a drawcard for restocker confidence.

Meat and Livestock Australia market reporter Richard Bailey said the sale was erratic in places, with the early steer sale higher than last week, the mid-range steers similar and lighter making $150 more.

In the heifer section, medium and light weights also improved compared to last week.

Meat and Livestock Australia market reporter Richard Bailey said the better steers weighing 280kg to 330kg made $1480 to $1540, medium steers weighing 200kg to 280kg made $1340 to $1970, and small steers were $820 to $980/head.

Effingham at George Town sold Angus steers weighing 242kg for $1140 to Dart Cattle Company, a backgrounder from the northwest of the state and one of the volume buyers at the sale.

Multiple pens of heifers from “The Rocks” and “Shene” weighing 230kg to 270kg made $1000 to $1200. Around 250 of these heifers were bought to be retained as breeders.