Dry conditions see 2000 head offered at autumn sale

PREVAILING dry conditions saw a much higher than expected yarding of 2000 head of predominantly local weaners from the Alpine, Ovens and King valleys go under the hammer at the Myrtleford Autumn Special Cattle Sale last Wednesday. More than 100 people gathered in the Nutrien Ivone Yards, removing their hats and observing a moment of silence to the honour the memory of Stephen Paull - founding partner of Paull and Schollard Nutrien Ag Solutions - who passed away last month. The auction, as expected, drew plenty of interest from northern buyers, keen to restock southern cattle on land in northern NSW and Queensland that unlike here, has enjoyed seasonally high rainfall. "Certainly our dry conditions saw more local producers go a bit early with their calves...selling the mostly spring drop weaners, of five to eight months, rather than try and carry them through winter into the spring, as feed and water is tight for many," selling agent Dan Ivone said. Despite the challenging conditions, Mr Ivone said stock yarded were in pretty good shape, but they sold a bit cheaper than two weeks ago. "We're seeing more stock into the markets, and we'll see prices continue to fall given the dry conditions, but most of our vendors were pretty happy with their sales." Steer calves, weighing 200 to 300 kilos, made between $3.80 to $4.10 a kilo while heifer calves of weight fetched between $2.60 to $3.10 a kilo. "Some of the heavier cattle, over 400 kilos, sold for $4 a kilo, on the back of an expected short supply in winter for kill cattle for abattoirs," Mr Ivone said. "Most of the cattle went north, but some was bought by producers in local valleys." Rosewhite cattle breeder, Gary Howell, offered up 20 Black Angus steers. "We usually sell in March, but they way the season has gone, we've had to keep them on until now," he said. "It's been pretty tough, not only here, but everywhere. "We need a big rain: it's a bit dry now." Keith Preston from Mudgegonga also had to update his sale plan due to seasonal conditions. "Today we're selling eight of our biggest Angus steers," he said. "Normally we sell our cattle in August during the spring sales. "We're selling early this year because it's so dry." Attendees at last week's cattle sale enjoyed the opportunity to socialise with other farmers, get a bite from the barbeque, and guess the weight of 'Norman, the big red steer', which for the record was 980kgs!

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