Cattle producers from across the Alpine Shire will head to market this Friday for the annual Myrtleford Spring Special Cattle Sale.
A yarding of around 1000 head is expected to go under the hammer from 10.30am at the Nutrien Ivone Yards on the corner of Mathesons Lane and the Great Alpine Road in Myrtleford.
Selling agent Dan Ivone said despite the fairly tough seasonal conditions the quality of the yarding is still very good.
"It's strong and I'm pretty confident most buyers will walk away happy with what they've achieved," he said.
"The yarding is predominantly for the local area and most of the cattle offered are weaners, aged between eight to 13 months, weighing between 250kgs to 350kgs.
"Most of the cattle have wintered not too bad, but there are also a few lighter cattle scattered through.
"Considering the winter we've had they should present pretty well... as going into October they get a bit of spring into them and people have put a lot of feed into them."
Mr Ivone said most of the buyer interest is anticipated to come from local producers.
"I also expect a few repeat buyers from down south, Gippsland, to attend... re-stockers who traditionally come to the sale each year, and there could be some from up north," he said.
"There may be an odd feedlotter but we probably haven't got enough weight (on the cattle) for them to be here."
Mr Ivone said pricing was expected to be "fairly solid" based on recent markets, including Wangaratta where weaner steers averaged 581c/kg to 685c/kg and weaner heifers averaged 438c/kg to 526c/kg.
"There are a fair few cattle coming forward at other markets and whether that puts pressure on the market we're not sure yet," he said.
Mr Ivone said weather conditions continue to play their part and a lack of rain could see the yarding increase.
"Everyone is looking at the sky and wondering what to do," he said.
"They have had to buy a bit of feed in and that has been the challenge of how much money do you keep spending."
He said last year's spring sale had around 1200 head.
"We're down slightly on that probably because the season was tight and a few clients had to sell calves earlier hoping to lock up a few hay paddocks early," Mr Ivone said.
Friday's yarding has cattle offered from Myrtleford, Mudgegonga, Barwidgee Creek, Buffalo River, Havilah, Rosewhite, Tawonga, Kancoona; as well as Whorouly South, Bobinawarrah, Edi, Markwood, Byawatha, Moyhu and Wooragee.
Brothers hope hard work reaps rewards
Whorouly South cattle producers Luke and Dan Matheson are hoping to reap the rewards of maintaining steady growth of their Poll Hereford weaners during tough winter months at this Friday’s Myrtleford Spring Special Cattle Sale.
The brothers are among more than 30 producers from throughout the Alpine and King valleys who are collectively yarding more than 1000 head of predominantly weaner cattle for sale.
Luke has 33 Poll Hereford steers, between 13 to 14 months, weighing 350kgs to 400kgs, with a couple of heifers for the market.
“The steers have grown out pretty well on hay and silage we’ve fed them during the tough winter months,” he said.
“With their condition, and recent markets, I’m hoping they’ll fetch around 550c/kg.
“The tough year in 2024 saw quite a few cattle off-loaded early this year so hopefully there will be plenty of interest to restock.”
Luke’s brother Dan will be offering 44 Poll Hereford steers, of similar age and weight, with all the Matheson’ s weaners bred by Wirruna Hereford bulls through the families AI program.
“We’re fifth generation on the land, with both Dan and I running around 100 breeding cattle on each of our 380 acres,” said Luke.
“We’ve got through winter pretty well but like everyone else, we want to see some rain.
“Grass is starting to grow but a couple of inches of rain in the next few weeks would really help ...we want to be able to cut some hay and silage to replenish stocks.”