THE looming shortage of cattle was no better reflected that at Omeo today when breeders outbid restockers for the best and heaviest of the Hereford and Shorthorn heifers.
The fourth sale in the Elders Mountain Calf feature saw a yarding of 1840 Hereford and Shorthorn steers and heifers.
The yarding was down 200 on last year, due to the poor seasonal conditions which had forced most mountain cattlemen to lighten off over the last five years.
It was this concern about supplies which saw more than 300 of the Hereford and Shorthorn heifers bought for breeding.
Rob Buckley from Trafalgar set the pace paying to $795 for 50 Shorthorn 11-month-old weaners.
"I like the Shorthorn and I know I might have paid more than I had hoped but where else are you going to get these heifers," Mr Buckley said.
Vendors Gus and John Crisp from Omeo topped the market for the heifers and were close to the top money with their Hereford steers.
The Crisps were among the major vendors with an offering of 387 head.
The tops in the steers went to Bert Ahsam's 17 EU accredited Hereford from Omeo which has been weaned and were estimated at 350kg and sold for $770 or 220c/kg.
Like with the Angus steers the previous day no steer sold under 200c/kg.
Buyer support was very widespread, although Andrew Talbot of Elders Tamworth bought more than 280 steers for restockers in the NSW Coonamble district.
