KATE DOWLER introduces the vendors ready to meet the market in next month's New Year calf sales
Elders Casterton steer sale on Friday, January 7.
Heifer sale on Friday, January 14.
KJ Upton, Glencairn,Casterton
CASTERTON regular major vendor Kevin Upton will again offer an impressive line-up of 400 steers and 230 heifers.
Kevin estimates they will weigh in slightly heavier than last year on the top end, but generally range from 270-330kg.
Kevin's cattle, which are always in high demand, are Yarram Park-blood Herefords and are not weaned.
"But we did have some younger calves this year, as some cows were slow-calving," he said.
"There is certainly a lot of feed at the moment - they could average 20kg heavier."
Clyde Lawrence,Karingal, Sandford
ANOTHER high-quality Casterton herd of Herefords will again offer some fantastic Yarram Park and South Brook Hereford-blood calves.
Clyde Lawrence will sell about 75 steers and 40-45 heifers, depending on how many he retains for breeders.
"I have been on Yarram Park blood here mainly recently, some AI'd," Clyde said.
"It has been a fantastic season.
"Grass up to our knees at the start of December? I reckon that is pretty good."
at the weaner sales.
Like most producers The Weekly Times spoke to, Clyde was hopeful good calves would average 200c/kg or more.
Last season, the Karingal calves fetched 177-184c/kg for steers, or $575/head.
This year, Clyde thought $700 was not out of the picture.
He estimates weights as similar to last year, or perhaps 10kg heavier in some steers.
The calves will be weaned for five weeks, on to hay and in small paddocks.
"I reckon they will weigh 300-350kg, or a bit higher," Clyde said.
"But there will be people there with 380kg calves this year."
His March-April-drop calves have been treated with 5-in-1, twice, drenched, and have been marked and de-horned.
Mick and Dale Sullivan,Shallum, Casterton
DALE Sullivan said the 120 Hereford steers and 60 heifers his family would sell in the new year were looking good.
The Sullivans use Ardno, South Boorook and Melville Park Hereford bulls.
Last year's top Sullivan steers weighed 345kg and fetched 180c/kg, or $637, while others weighing 311kg made 188c/kg or $584.
Their sisters weighed 292kg and made 166c/kg, while others weighed 238kg and sold for 174c/kg.
"The weaned calves could weigh up to 400kg this year,"
Dale said. Faroe Partnership, The Gums, Casterton
STEVE Faroe has some thumping big, and growing, calves at his The Gums property this year.
Steve will sell 230 Hereford, Angus and black baldy calves in the New Year sales.
Steve, whose family also runs a newsagency business, has run a Hereford herd, but is slowly switching into Angus, using Boonaroo bulls.
Steve and wife Phyllis are involved in the business with their son, Morris, and his wife, Dianne.
They bought the property in 1983 and, while Steve concedes there is probably more money to be made compared to the retail business, farming provided a much better lifestyle.
Their calves will be weaned for a month prior to sale.
"It is the first time we have weaned, but it is what the customer wants," Steve said.
"I don't know if it will affect the price we get."
The calves receive a winter drench and a 6-in-1 vaccine.
Steve guesses the tops will weigh 450kg.
"We decided a few years ago to change over to blacks and there does seem to be a $70-$80 per head difference in the prices paid for Angus," he said.
"So we have sold all our Hereford bulls."
