WEANER steers sold to $765 at Euroa in a solid opening to the annual series of special Angus store sales held at the centre each year.
The price was for the Wall family's lead pen of 21 Angus steer calves, March/April drop, that had a displayed indicator weight of 360kg, equalling 212 cents per kilogram.In a result that surpassed many people's expectations, most of the top calves managed to achieve rates of 200c/kg plus, or $680 to $755 depending on weight.
Vendor Richard Megeehan, of Flowerdale, who sold more than 200 Angus and black baldy calves said while it was disappointing to be taking a major income cut on 12-months ago, compared to the struggling prime cattle market young store calves had held up well.
"Our top pen of steers at $760 was back exactly $100 on last year, but on today's prices for finished cattle we are very happy – 200c/kg is good money,’’ he said.
The market, however, did jump around and some vendors were disappointed in their results.
Some steer calves did sell down into the 170c/kg price range. Overall most sales in dollar per head terms ranged from $550 to $650, with agents anticipating an average around the $600 mark for steer calves.
A live export order for lightweight Angus heifers was a highlight in this section, pushing pens for 250-280kg calves to over $500 a head.
But heavier heifers struggled, with some selling for meat at 150c/kg. Although some pens that attracted breeder competition did make 165c/kg plus.
There was very little Gippsland support at the sale, with most of the 3844 cattle remaining in the north-east region.
Apart from restockers, the Garrison Feedlot from Swan Hill bought more than 250 calves to lotfeed, with commission buyers also filling orders for south-east South Australia.
