THE summer calf sales begin in earnest this week that will see 68,000 steer and heifer weaners go under the hammer.
The January series of 24 sales, starting at Wodonga in Victoria today, will attract local restockers and northern backgrounders in droves on the back of good summer rain.
Six sales at Hamilton, including a four-day selling marathon, will aim to clear about 18,000 head.
Another 12,000 will be offered at Wodonga over four days, 10,000 at Naracoorte in South Australia over three days, 9800 at Casterton over four days and 5000 at Colac over two days.
Strong end-of-year sale results at Euroa, Yea, Ballarat and Naracoorte have set the pace at 200 cents per kilogram for steers around the 300 to 330kg mark.
While some drafts may not have the weight of last year due to a poor spring, agents are tipping good recent rain across southern and northern Australia will see these values hold up on a c/kg basis.
Should this be the case, the saleyards will generate about $40 million for producers.
Nearly all calves have been bred, prepared and held especially for these sales and represent the best and perhaps last chance to secure large drafts of stock for the season.
