Restockers and backgrounders paying premiums for quality Hereford weaners

Hereford weaned heifers tracked 60c/kg above their British bred counterparts with prices from restockers of 490-550c/kg for the whiteface pens compared to 440-490c/kg for Angus heifers in Victoria last week. 

The store sale at Bairnsdale, in Gippsland, also featured an outstanding run of autumn drop Hereford steers from East Gippsland and high-country producers with strong demand at the rail from backgrounders finishing for grass fed programs.  

Nutrien East Gippsland Livestock auctioneer Brad Obst reported the Hereford steers as the standout in the yarding of 2755 head with pens weighing 290-390kg selling for $1640-$2000 or 509-565c/kg. 

Mr Obst said Hereford heifers weighing 260-310kg made $1250-$1440 or 464-475c/kg while Angus heifers under 300kg making 422-475c/kg.  

He said the sale drew a strong contingent of restockers and grass finishers from all parts of Gippsland, nudging out the lot feeder activity. 

Among the vendors were Paul and Mat Marshall, Orbost, offering a draft of 85 February/March drop Yavenvale, Newcomen and Mawarra blood steers. 

The steers were December weaned, antibiotic free, grass fed and carrying Greenham Never Ever accreditation. The top pen weighing 391kg returned 511c/kg or $2000 while the thirds weighing 327kg returned $1680 or 513c/kg.  

Mat Marshall said a steer finisher from South Gippsland bought the two top pens for $2000 while the third went to an Orbost steer finisher.  

He said the weaners were normally targeted at the first Bairnsdale store sale of the year and drew regular repeat buyers targeting grass fed programs. 

The family calves down 250 cows with the calves weaned onto ryegrass and clover in a 700mm rainfall zone. 

A second-generation Hereford breeder, Mat said well-presented and credential Hereford cattle were in demand at Bairnsdale.  

“In the last few years, we have not seen any price discrimination in the yards for good lines of vendor bred Hereford and Hereford cross cattle. The sale today was solid all the way through with the combination of well-bred cattle,” he said.  

“Our draft averaged close to $1890 which was above our expectations. This compares to last year when we averaged $1400 for the draft.” 

When selecting bulls, Mat looks at 400- and 600-day weight estimated breeding values (EBVs) and focuses on intramuscular fat (IMF), positive rib and rump fat and above average milk.  

He pointed to IMF being key for steer finishing customers targeting eating quality under the Meat Standards Australia Index and gave flexibility in meeting grass or grain markets.  

The family finishes their surplus heifers on pasture and supplies to the Greenham Never Ever program, with bonuses paid for high MSA Index scores.  

“Our cattle go off to Greenham’s along with Angus, Charolais and Limousin cattle – if the grid is $9/kg it is $9 for every beast no matter what the colour,” Mat said. 

He likes the docility, ease of management and weight gain of the Hereford over other British breeds.  

He places pressure on the fertility of the heifers, calving over a tight seven-to-eight-week interval, with cows culled on temperament, structure and fertility.

Peter and Christine Faithfull, of Omeo, elected to sell the complete drop of European Union accredited, April/May drop, Mawarra and Newcomen calves at Bairnsdale due to stock water shortages. The offering of 163 head averaged $1742 overall.  

The tops of the steers weighed 371kg and returned $2000 or 539c/kg while the seconds weighed 341kg made $1910 or 560c/kg to a backgrounder at Orbost.  

The tops of the heifers weighed 342kg sold for $1840 or 538c/kg and the seconds weighing 290kg sold for $1600 or 551c/kg. They were all purchased by David Hill, Elders Omeo, to return to the paddock for breeding programs at Myrtleford.  

Mr Hill said water shortages had been a factor in calves being turned off the high country earlier than normal, but the Mountain Calf Sales were expected to yard 5500-6000 mixed sex weaners.

To date across the autumn weaner sales circuit, the top price for Hereford steers has been achieved by Leon Wheeler, Wallacedale, at Hamilton for February/March drop, Mawarra and Yarram Park blood, weighing 412kg, and returning $2085 or 506c/kg.  

Comparing kilogram for kilogram, there has been no premium with the tops of the Hereford steers equalling the tops of the Angus steers with a top Angus pen weighing 413kg at Wodonga making $2000 or 484c/kg. At Hamilton, Hereford steers weighing 403kg returned $1950 or 484c/kg while 405kg Angus steers at Wodonga made $1920 or 474c/kg. 

The southern weaner sales continue on January 29 at Yea where a feature draft will be from the McCormack family, Alencon Pastoral, Molesworth, with 250 March/April drop mixed sex weaners, Tarcombe, Glendan Park, Ravensdale and Melville Park blood, and European Union accredited.