The Leongatha store sale held on Thursday saw weaned steers achieving a premium of 20-25 cents per kilogram over their unweaned counterparts, even as the overall market experienced a slight decline. Approximately 3,270 cattle, including 110 cows and calves, were yarded during the event.
David Setches, livestock manager for Alex Scott & Staff in Pakenham, noted the premium for weaned steers but acknowledged that the market was softer compared to last week’s sale at the new Eastern Victoria Livestock Exchange in Yea. “It was certainly a softer market than last week,” Setches stated, highlighting the overall trend in pricing.
Market analysis from Damien Minogue, territory sales manager at Elders Korumburra, indicated that the slight softening was largely quality-related. He remarked, “Grown cattle were fully firm to just a whisker cheaper,” suggesting that variations in quality impacted pricing dynamics.
At the sale, commission buyer Campbell Ross demonstrated active participation, procuring heavier steers for both his own orders and those of Victorian Livestock & Property. Setches observed that there was minimal activity from feedlot buyers, although Wayne Reid purchased cattle for the McKenzie feedlot based in Bunnaloo, New South Wales. Reid focused on heavier steers, as well as mid-weight options.
Commission buyer Anthony Hullick also made notable purchases on behalf of processor Westside, acquiring mid-weight to heavier steers intended for feeding or processing. Processor Radfords similarly engaged in buying mid-weight to heavy steers and heifers.
Local agents showed strong interest in lighter cattle, including both steers and heifers, for fattening and backgrounding purposes in South Gippsland. Several agents also secured better-bred heavy heifers for local clients’ breeding programs.
In terms of pricing, heavy steers weighing between 500-600 kg sold for 440-480 cents per kilogram, while heavier heifers in the 400-500 kg range commanded 420-450 cents per kilogram. Medium-weight steers weighing 400-450 kg fetched between 450-530 cents per kilogram, while lighter steers in the 300-400 kg category were priced lower than last week, selling for 490-560 cents per kilogram compared to 560-600 cents per kilogram previously.
Setches remarked that mid-weight weaner steers performed better, achieving prices from 500 cents per kilogram to a top of 606 cents per kilogram, with the majority selling within the 500-550 cents per kilogram range. Medium-weight heifers weighing 300-400 kg were sold for 440-515 cents per kilogram, with processors particularly active in acquiring pens within the 350-400 kg weight range. Lighter weaner heifers under 300 kg were priced between 400-500 cents per kilogram, influenced by quality and type.
As the market continues to evolve, the trends observed at the Leongatha store sale reflect broader dynamics in the cattle industry, emphasizing the importance of quality in determining pricing.
