VETERAN local cattle producer Graham Nicol remains optimistic sales prices at this week's two Blue Ribbon Weaner Sales at the Wangaratta livestock selling exchange will be better than the below average sale prices in 2023.
Wangaratta's blue ribbon weaner sales are on Wednesday, January 31 with 4000 steers up for offer, and Friday, Feburary 2 with 2600 heifers on offer - both sales commence at 9am.
Mr Nicol, whp runs 300 Alpine Angus cattle on his 777 acre Faldinghurst property at East Wangaratta, will offer 100 Alpine Angus up for sale this week.
The 88 year old, who has been in the industry for 74 year, sees a more promising outlook for 2024 with cattle prices set to rise.
“Prices have been below average over the last 12 months, however, things are starting to take a turn for the better,” he said.
Latest Stories
“I expect this year to go in leaps and bounds which will bring back confidence to producers.
“The wet summer has brought welcomed rain which has saved costs on the farm by not having to pump water from the Ovens River to irrigate, which has also saved many hours of work.
“A wetter summer has also assisted in my lucerne hay paddocks which are now ready to harvest.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming blue ribbon auction as I have 100 head of Alpine Angus to take to the sale and feel more confident than I did this time last year in sale prices.
“I will be selling all my weaners at the upcoming auction as well.
“Overall 2024 should bring more excitement and confidence to producers like myself as farming is a tough gig and a positive outlook is exactly what we all need.”
