NO STEER or heifer was sold for less than $2/kg at the opening mountain calf sales at Omeo yesterday.

The feature Angus and Angus cross Elders sale attracted a yarding of 3548 weaners, or about 300 on last year.

TOP LOTS

  • Omeo - Angus and  Angus cross 3548 head
  • STEERS: GV&JG Crisp, Livingston: 26 Angus, 12 months, estimated 340kg, $750 (220c/kg). GH&AJ Burston, Benambra: 24 Angus, 12 months, estimated 330kg, $745 (226c/kg). David Huirley, Dargo: 22 Angus, 11 months, estimated 320kg, $730 (228c/kg). Colin W Scott & Co:14 black baldy, 11 months, estimated 320kg, $720 (225c/kg). Brendon Flynn, Ensay: 21 Angus, 12 months, estimated  320kg, $710 (222c/kg).

For local vendors it was a return to the good times, not only in prices but also the season.

After enduring one of the toughest winters and early springs on record things began to turn greener in November and haven't look back since.

Retired Landmark veteran Kevin Hill, father of David Hill who organised this week's sales, said he had never seen grass like this at this time of the year in more than 50 years.

It was dramatic turnaround in the season that showed through in the cattle.  The weights were down because of the hard winter but the bloom reflected how many of the calves were catching up.

Last year the first lane of 300 Angus weaner steers would have averaged 340kg. 

This year is was closer to 310kg.But the lighter weights didn't deter the buyers or the bids.

The first and heaviest pen of 26 Angus steers, 12 months, estimated at 340kg and belonging to the Crisp family from Livingstone were bought by Elders NSW key account livestock manager Andrew Talbot, for a Coonamble grass finisher for $750 or 220c/kg.

Mt Talbot set the tone of sale by more than 200 of the heavier weaners.

Alan and Noeleen Smith from Cobungra topped the heifer pens at $610  for for five Angus  estimated at 300kg.

Despite the lighter weights most vendors reported averages $100 up on last year.

Officially the Omeo steers averaged $617 while the heifers were at $504.

Buying support was strong from NSW although not as strong as anticipated.

NSW orders accounted for about 1000 head.South Gippsland, north east, Upper Goulburn and South Australia were well represented among the buyers.