LOCAL buyers had the greatest influence on the opening Western District calf sale at Hamilton, paying to a top of $750 for heavy Angus steers.
In a noticable change from recent years, southern buyers such as Melbourne Water at Werribee paid the top money and outbid northern agents who bemoaned expensive transport costs and the lack of forward price signals from feedlots and processors for their subdued showing.
The sale, held by the independant agents at Hamilton, comprised 3040 Angus, black baldy and Murray Grey steers. All the calves were curfewed and weighed, with the yarding averaging 312kg liveweight, which was 15kg less than last January.
Most sales were in the 175c to 195c/kg range, with some select pens of well-bred and lighterweight calves (less than 320kg) selling from 200c to a top of 211c/kg.
The opening run of heavier steers sold strongly as this was where the local competition - from Melbourne Water and agents from Hamilton and South Gippsland - was the most intense.
The top money of $750 was for the opening pen of 12 steers from vendor Lagoon that weighed 412kg and sold for 182c/kg to local agent Robert Claffy who was buying on behalf of a specialist backgrounder who will finish them on summer pasture and silage to feedlot weights within 100 days.
Also breaking the $700 barrier was 28 Angus steers from Raheen, weaned four weeks, that weighed 374kg and sold for 194c/kg or $725.
The highest liveweight price was 211c/kg for 42 young calves from Toora West that weighed 262kg, equalling $553. These calves presented very well, having been weaned and fully vaccinated, including for pink-eye.
But the market did fluctuate, and there was a number of sales at less than 180c/kg. Some vendors felt that bidding had been more "erratic'' than recent years, which was influenced by the fact that northern buyers were very concious of weight and price.
Most northern buyers, operating for areas such as Meandarra in Queensland and Walcha, Barraba, Mudgee and Tamworth in NSW, would only bid into the low 180c price bracket before walking away.
Co-selling agent Derek Morse, LMB Linke at Hamilton, described it as an "honest sale''.
"There was a bit in it for both buyers and sellers, that's how I would describe it,'' he said. "It certainly wasn't over the top.''
This story was first published on WeeklyTimesNow on January 5.
