Wodonga’s store cattle sale in a holding pattern ahead of rain

Buyers were ‘not prepared to stick their neck out’ on Thursday as restockers await rain and potential US tariff moves. See the full sale report.

Store cattle prices remained in a holding pattern at Barnawartha today as restockers await further rain and possibly the outcome of any Trump Administration tariffs.

“People are not prepared to stick their neck right out yet,’’ Ruaro Livestock agent Peter Ruaro said.

The yarding also had little to really test buyer demand, comprising 1700 mixed cattle and with many pens showing the effects of the season, particularly in the female run.

The limited offering meant some of the major commission buyers were absent, targeting some of the bigger store sales interstate this week including Carcoar, NSW, and Naracoorte in SA.

Lightweight steers sold to a high of 458 cents on a liveweight basis, with data showing the 996 steers sold averaged 384c or $1243 per head.

This is behind the average steer result of 397c achieved a fortnight ago, but has to be viewed alongside quality and number factors.

The official quote from selling agents at Wodonga was firm for the better bred and presented store cattle.

The lead runs of Angus feeder steers and yearlings were well supported by the JBS backgrounding and feedlot network, with company buyer Neal Flanagan dominating over the few restocking orders that showed interest.

The JBS buys included 16 Angus steers weighing 409kg for $1600 from RA and SM Burnside; 40 from NK Nichol and Co, Bethanga, at $1500 on a weight of 371kg (404c); and 22 from WJ and J Sutherland at 352kg for $1540 (437c).

The average saleyard result for the neat steers in the 330-400kg weight range was 392c/kg.

Vendor Anthony Nichol said it was an “okay” result with the market not really showing any lift from the recent rain.

“I think we need another good general rain, not just a thunderstorm event where some get it and some don’t,’’ he said.

“The Trump and tariff thing is also unsettling and when there is an unknown it creates a lack of confidence – the sooner we know what is happening the better.’’

The store market had a few factors working against it, including very mixed and often plain quality cattle and limited numbers of 1700 head, which meant some major commission buyers were absent. However quality cattle held their value, including this lead pen of Angus heifers which sold for $250 on a weight of 369kg. Picture: Jenny Kelly

Once off the major lines, the market showed more variance around breed type and quality; the

plainest types and crossbred steers trending from 200c to 300c/kg.

Any light but well-bred pens of black steers still sold keenly at recent money. Among the standout sales were 11 calves from P Campagnolo at Mansfield. Weighing 234kg they sold for $1070 to top the leaderboard in cents-per-kilogram terms.

The heifer market posted cheaper results compared to a fortnight ago, but was dragged down by secondary quality in places.

The price average for heifers was tracking at 272c, against a rate of more than 300c earlier this month.

However like the steer section, quality held its value. The opening pen of 25 Angus heifers weighing 369kg sold for $1250 to still make over 330c.

They were part of the draft from RA and SM Burnside.

But anything that was suspect for breed quality, age and health – such as bad eyes – was discounted, with some black heifers at 269kg selling for $470 to be under 200c/kg.