THE market for local cattle continued to remain steady last week, backing the recent successful Blue Ribbon Weaner sales with prices being described as chalk and cheese.
A healthy number of buyers were present for Thursday's monthly store sale in Wangaratta, with 650 head yarded.
Corcoran Parker Wangaratta agent Reiley Murtagh said the monthly market was no comparison in pricing to the city's Blue Ribbon sale a few weeks back, however, prices were remaining on par leading into autumn.
Thursday morning’s sale saw steady prices with feeder steers (400+ kg) at $3.30/kg, re-stocker steers (220-380kg) at $4.10/kg, feeder heifers (380+ kg) at $3.00/kg, re-stocker heifers (220-380kg) at $3.50/kg, with cows and calves topping at $2240.
“The quality overall for our monthly sale was mixed which reflected in price,” Mr Murtagh said.
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“Prices are beginning to rebound leading into the autumn break, which will determine how the market will shift.
“Again the comparison of pricing to the Blue Ribbon sales are like chalk and cheese, however local producers are remaining confident with the current outlook.
“There is a little insecurity in the weather for autumn which will govern what producers will do in entering the market.
“If the autumn break goes to plan, we could see movement in the market which will govern prices.”
Fourth generation Bowman's Forest cattle producer Robert Ferguson, who runs 500 head of Alpine Angus on the 1800 acre family farm, presented a surplus of 27 heifers at Thursday's sale, and was confident that prices would remain steady.
“The market has been a bit up and down over the last 12 months, however, of late, things are starting to level out and beginning to move forward,” he said.
“Right now the market is on a level playing field compared to 2023.
“Prices are good for producers in the market to buy up on quality stock leading into autumn.
“Our surplus stock we sold today are well bred and we are more than happy with the results.
“I believe the autumn break will really make a mark on where things will sit in the coming months.”
