In a repeat of last year, two industry heavyweights went toe to toe on the lead run of the Hereford heifers at Hamilton with prices peaking at $970 for the autumn drop pens.
Selling agents Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions, J & J Kelly and Brian O’Halloran & Co yarded 1555 Hereford, Angus, and Euro heifer weaners for the All Breeds Weaner Heifer Sale on January 11.
Overall, the sale grossed $1.4 million with the heifers averaging 301c/kg or $900.
The major buyers in the Hereford and Hereford infused heifers included Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, Willinga Pastoral, Wandoan, Qld, Elders Mortlake and AuctionsPlus.
In the purebred heifers, a single pen over 300kg made $935 or 296c/kg while those weighing under 300kg sold for $585-$970 or 250-330c/kg.
The Hereford/Shorthorn heifers made $607-$772 or 246-274c/kg and black baldies $768-$1058 or 275-314c/kg.
A bidding duel for the champion pen between Injemira Beef Genetics and Yarram Park Herefords was the high point, resulting in the Hereford offering’s top price of $970 or 330c/kg.
Commission buyer Andrew Lowe judged the Herefords Australia champion pen, awarding the ribbon to Gordon, Jane and Owen McClure, Beerik Partnership, Coleraine.
The pen of 31 March/April drop heifers, weighing 294kg, were Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood, EU accredited, Greenhams Never Ever, Pasturefed eligible, antibiotic free and yard weaned.
Antony Baillieu, Yarram Park Herefords, was keen to secure the pen, included in a total of 141 heifers for the company’s Western Districts Pastoral operation of 3000 breeders in South Australia. The heifers will be joined in July/August to Yarram Park sires.
“We have been building the number of heifers there for the past few years and will take the EU cattle back to Yarram Park. There has been a premium there for a long time (for EU cattle) and for anyone selling steers, the processors are requiring accreditation now,” Mr Baillieu said.
“They are good operators here today, have bought good bulls over the years and have very good commercial herds. It is a quick way of getting in on years of breeding and enables people to lower the average age of their herd.”
John and Liz Craig, Inverell, Breakaway Creek, sold the opening pen of 23 March/April drop, EU, Yarram Park and Glendan Park blood, weaned, Greenhams Never Ever and Pasturefed eligible heifers.
Weighing 316kg, the heifers were bought by Yarram Park for $935 or 296c/kg. Mr Baillieu also outlaid $815 or 285c/kg for the Inverell seconds and paid $770 or 294c/kg for a pen of 39 Yarram Park blood heifers sold by the Pepper family, Lochredal.
Vendor John Craig offered 71 heifers and had anticipated 260-300c/kg from the restockers.
He classes his heifers on weight, conformation, type and thickness.
“With rain in the north, obviously the grass-fed markets are still the key driver, especially for the Herefords,” he said.
Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, was back in the yards today buying for Willinga Pastoral, Wandoan, Qld, paying from $607-$786 for heifers including a pen of 25 from Beerik weighing 273kg at $786 or 288c/kg.
Andrew Whan, Miller Whan & John director, Mt Gambier, has bought 780 steers across the sales circuit destined for southeast South Australia and western Victoria steer finishers, backgrounders and supermarkets.
“Among the several different clients, one wants cattle 300-340kg, heavier steers at 380kg and backgrounder steers at 300kg. The price paid is between 300-340c/kg for steers and 290-318c/kg for heifers, all to be finished on grass or grain,” Mr Whan said.
“It is non-breed specific and there is no requirement for EU. We bought a lot of Herefords out of Hamilton and Casterton during the week as we know the area and the cattle do very well for us. They are quiet and well weaned.
“For some markets we need the cattle to be PCAS eligible and antibiotic free, and we will give a 20c/kg discount if the calves are not weaned.”
Mr Whan anticipates an upside to the present cattle market with a rise in price for heavy steers.
“At the end of the second quarter for the year there is a bit of upside to come.”
Elders Mortlake livestock agent Bruce Redpath has a long track record at the Hamilton yards of 40 years and was this week buying Hereford cattle for Princess Royal feedlot, Burra, SA, at Casterton and Hamilton.
“The Hereford steers have sold better in comparison to the black cattle and the heifers have shown their quality today as well with the breeders buying them back,” Mr Redpath said.
“The Herefords are noted doing cattle, especially on grass, and do well from Casterton and Hamilton with years of breeding in them.”
Mr Redpath was sourcing 360-450kg EU accredited cattle for the lot feeders while the backgrounders sought 320-360kg steers.
“I had some other orders from processors for lighter cattle but the price was too high. The market was much better than we thought it would be.”
Quotes
Hereford
Beerik Partnership: 31, EU, Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood, March/April drop, yard weaned, 294kg, $970 or 330c/kg; 25, 273kg, $786 or 288c/kg
Inverell: 23, EU, Yarram Park and Glendan Park blood, March/April drop, Greenhams Never Ever, 316kg, $935 or 296c/kg; 48, 286kg, $815 or 285c/kg
Lochredal: 39, EU, Glendan Park and Yarram Park blood, March/April drop, Greenhams Never Ever, EU, yard weaned, 262kg, $770 or 294c/kg
Karingal: 13, Melville Park and Yarram Park blood, Feb-May drop, yard weaned, 283kg, $764 or 270c/kg
Dinwooly: 18, EU, Wolbul and Allendale blood, yard weaned, 265kg $710 or 268c/kg
Greenhills: 7, Taronga blood, 290kg, $713 or 246c/kg
Hereford/Shorthorn
Kentara: 11, 282kg, $772 or 274c/kg
Greenhills: 9, Taronga blood, 279kg, $764 or 274c/kg
Black baldy
Lochredal: 5, EU, 336kg, Yarram Park blood, $974 or 290c/kg
B & D Simkin: 8, 329kg, $970 or 295c/kg
John Gapes: 6, 320kg, $944 or 295c/kg
Dinwooly: 14, EU, 303kg, $927 or 306c/kg
V & J Howlett: 13, Feb/March drop, 314kg, $863 or 275c/kg
Cragnor: 15, 256kg, $768 or 300c/kg
Gordon, Jane and Owen McClure, Beerik Partnership, received the Herefords Australia champion pen for their Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood heifers at Hamilton.
Vendor Liz Craig, Inverell Herefords, with buyers Antony Baillieu, Craig Brewin and Michael Petersen, all from Yarram Park Herefords.
Elders Mortlake livestock agent Bruce Redpath has long track record of buying Herefords at the Hamilton yards of 40 years and was sourcing backgrounding and feeder cattle.
Olivia Pearce, Herefords Australia, with David Jenkin, Banemore Herefords, Penshurst, at the Hamilton sale.
Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, bids on the champion pen of Beerik Partnership heifers.
The Herefords Australia champion pen was yard weaned and carried accreditations and health treatments.
The champion pen of March/April drop heifers, weighing 294kg, were Yarram Park, Injemira and Melville Park blood, EU accredited, sold for $970 or 330c/kg.
Liz and John Craig, Inverell, Breakaway Creek, sold their top pen of heifers, Yarram Park and Glendan Park blood, for $935 or 296c/kg.
The Elders Hamilton team take bids on the champion pen of heifers at the All Breeds Weaner Heifer Sale
Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, bought Hereford heifers on behalf of Willinga Pastoral, Wandoan, Queensland to a top of $786.
