ELDERS Hamilton steers to be sold on Tuesday, January 4, and Thursday, January 6. Heifer sale (all breeds), Tuesday, January 13.
Pepper Partnership,Lochedral, Tahara
JOHN Pepper will sell 140 steer and 80 heifers in the New Year calf sales.
His Yarram Park, Bowmont and Allendale-blood Herefords will be weaned for five weeks, complying with the Elders Red Star weaning system.
John said he had found the program worthwhile, as it gave buyers surety in the calves they purchased and how they had been prepared.
Last year, the Pepper cattle enjoyed strong competition.
The second line of steers, weighing 336kg, sold for 207c/kg. The heavier line, at 371kg, returned 178c/kg.
"Last year, the calves weren't as heavy as they had been in previous years, but they averaged 317kg," John said.
"This year, however, the tops will be up around 380kg and the average will be higher, too."
The Tahara-bred calves are also European Union-accredited.
"With that, and the Red Star program, we do all we can to open up the market to competition from as many buyers as possible," John said.
"We've been in EU since its inception.
"For a good while, there wasn't a premium in it, but people are going back into it."
John believes Red Star also offers him some advantage.
One line last year was sold to a volume buyer, Paul Mason, from Wellington in NSW, while the other line went to Ballarat.
"It has been a really good season here," John said.
"The only thing is the grass is getting away from our prime lambs a bit, which doesn't suit them, and flies could be a worry.
"I think there will be good money around for heifers this year, given how well the cattle job is going."
