Weaner sales 2023: What farmers can expect

Our expert analysis reveals expected prices, yarding numbers and what’s on offer where at the upcoming weaner sales.

The strength of the beef market will be tested next month when the southern weaner sales kick off in the first week of January.

North East Victoria and the Western District are the two hot spots for sales, buoyed by other offerings in stand-alone centres in what is an annual restocking opportunity for east coast livestock producers.

The selling program kicks off in Victoria’s North East with more than 22,000 calves booked to be sold in four days at Wangaratta and Wodonga, while Mortlake is also going early with 7000 weaners booked to be sold in a single day in the first week of January.

The action then moves to the Western District with a week-long program at Hamilton and Casterton.

The 2023 weaner sales program kicks off in Victoria’s North East with more than 22,000 calves booked to be sold in four days at Wangaratta and Wodonga. Picture: Zoe Phillips

While prices have come back from the highs set last year, Elders Victoria-Riverina livestock manager Matt Tinkler said he was hopeful the rates could move up again before the January sales.

“There has been a correction in the cattle market but one thing we must remember is that there is a lot of cattle feed across the country particularly in the pastoral areas,” Mr Tinkler said.

“It has been a very different season – one many of us have not seen before – and the wet weather and extended cold weather have disturbed producers normal selling patterns.

“Producers have been used to dealing with drought but this wet spring is something new for many people.”

While Mr Tinkler acknowledged the challenges of a reported oversupply of beef on the world market, he said the longer term fundamentals of the industry were positive.

“The outlook for the beef market is very positive.”

Any lower prices at the upcoming weaner sales could also see some buyers who had found the prices too strong at last year’s sales enter the market.

“We could see producers who have feed in front of them and buy-in prices lower than six months ago see an opportunity to step into the market and do a finishing job,” Mr Tinkler said.

“I would like to think that there may be some upside in prices between now and the weaner sales as people get their programs back on track and look to fill paddocks.”

2023 WEANER SALES CALENDAR

DECEMBER 28

WARRNAMBOOL: 1000 F1 females, associated agents, 10am

JANUARY 3

WODONGA: 1200 Premier all breeds grown and mixed sex weaners, Ray White Rural, 9am

JANUARY 4

COLAC: 3200 Birregurra steer and heifer weaners, associated agents, 10am

WODONGA: 6000 Premier Angus mixed sex weaners, Independent Agents, 9am

WANGARATTA: 4500 Premier Angus feature weaner sale, Elders and Corcoran Parker, 1pm (to start after NVLX sale)

JANUARY 5

WODONGA: 4500 Premier all breeds grown and feature weaner sale, Elders/Paull & Scollard/Nutrien, 9am

MORTLAKE: 7500 Feature weaner sale, associated agents, 9am

NARACOORTE: 6000 Premier all breeds weaner steers, combined agents, 10am

JANUARY 6

WODONGA: 3500 Premier Hereford, Hereford cross and Euro mixed sex weaners, Independent Agents, 9am

WANGARATTA: 2500 Premier all breeds feature weaner sale, Elders and Corcoran Parker, 1pm (to start after NVLX sale)

YEA: 3500 mixed sex weaners, Nutrien Ag Solutions, 10:30am

NARACOORTE: 3300 Premier all breeds weaner heifers, combined agents, 9am

JANUARY 9

HAMILTON: 4000 Angus weaner steers, Independent Agents, 12pm

JANUARY 10

CASTERTON: 2500 Angus and Angus cross weaner steers, Elders & Nutrien, 9am

HAMILTON: 3500 All breeds weaner steers, Elders & Nutrien, 12pm

JANUARY 11

CASTERTON: 2000 annual Hereford sale, Elders & Nutrien, 9am

HAMILTON: 2500 Hereford steers and Euro mixed sex, Independent Agents, 12pm

EUROA: 2250 Annual Blue Ribbon weaner sale, all breeds, combined agents, 10.30am

JANUARY 12

WODONGA: Feature female sale, All Agents, 9am

MORTLAKE: 2000 Feature female sale, associated agents, 10am

HAMILTON: 2000 All breeds heifer weaners, Elders & Nutrien, 12pm

PAKENHAM: 3500 mixed sex weaners and feeder steers, associated agents, 10am.

NARACOORTE: 1200 Feature female sale, all breeds, combined agents, 10am

JANUARY 13

CASTERTON: 2300 heifers, Elders/Nutrien, 9am

HAMILTON: 2000 heifers, Independent Agents, 12pm

YEA 4500 Blue Ribbon steer and heifer weaners, Elders, 10:30am

JANUARY 18

KYNETON: 1600 weaner steers and heifers, associated agents, 11am.

JANUARY 19

MORTLAKE: 6000 store cattle, associated agents, 10am

NARACOORTE: 4700 weaner steers, all breeds, combined agents, 10am

JANUARY 20

WARRNAMBOOL: Feature steer and heifer weaner sale, associated agents, 10am

YEA: 1000 Feature female sale, combined agents, 10:30am

NARACOORTE: 3000 weaner heifers, all breeds, combined agents, 9am

JANUARY 25

KYNETON: 1000 weaner cattle and joined females, associated agents, 11am.

JANUARY 27

WARRNAMBOOL: Feature females, associated agents, 10am

FEBRUARY 1

WANGARATTA: 4000 blue ribbon steer sale, associated agents, 10:30am.

FEBRUARY 3

BALLARAT: 1000 cows and calves and PTIC heifers, associated agents, 10am

WANGARATTA: 3000 blue ribbon heifer sale, associated agents, 10:30am.

FEBRUARY 10

BALLARAT: 3000 weaner heifers and grown females, associated agents, 10am

FEBRUARY 17

BALLARAT: 4000 weaner and grown steers, associated agents, 10am