JUST over 1300 head of grown and young cattle were yarded at the Wangaratta Stock Exchange for last Thursday's monthly store sale.
Corcoran Parker Wangaratta agent Reiley Murtagh said the market proved soft with prices down, amid a state of limbo from concern over a lack of rainfall and evasive autumn break.
“There were a total of 1308 cows, calves, steers and heifers penned which was a great line-up for our April sale,” Mr Murtagh said.
“Condition was varied across the board due to the lack of rain.
“Prices were a bit softer compared to the last few weeks, however, there was still a local demand from producers across the region.”
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The best pen of cows and calves fetched $1950 while feeder steers 400kg made $3.20-$3.40/kg, re-stocker steers 350kg made $3.40-$3.60/kg, light steers 250-280kg made $4.00/kg, Angus heifers 400kg made $2.80/kg and lighter angus heifers 280kg made $2.50/kg.
“The market will continue to struggle in the absence of rain, however, when the rain does arrive it will be an absolute game changer for the cattle industry,” Mr Murtagh said.
“Producers who have a feed setup are in a good position right now compared to grass fed farms who have no feed in paddocks and are now buying in feed.
“Producers are currently making calculated decisions based on current food in stock and food retained.”
Finley cattle producer Duncan Carmichael - who presented 20 joint heifers for sale at the Wangaratta market - runs 100 head of cattle, 3000 sheep and broadleaf crop farming on his 1800 acres.
He believes the cattle market is under pressure due to autumn conditions and producers cutting numbers back.
“The cattle market is ordinary at the moment with pressure of costs on the farm versus the return at the market,” he said.
“There is current pressure with a lack of feed due to the current autumn conditions which is forcing producers to buy feed in.
“With the current market, producers are downsizing to reduce financial pressure.
“Store sales have brought good numbers in because cattle producers are under stress as recent prices have not been promising enough to restore confidence at this point.
“Producers need to be optimistic that the market will stabilise and the latter part of the year will swing the tide.”
