Prices ease slightly as producers look for rain

LAST Friday’s monthly store cattle sale at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange saw some prices ease slightly on the back of an increased yarding, with the future confidence amongst some cattle producers somewhat reliant on rain arriving sooner rather than later. There was an expectation that if grass production was not forthcoming that beef cattle producers might look to offload livestock to reduce over grazing on their properties, as the year progresses. Friday’s total yarding was around 950 head, with Peter Dargan of AWN Wangaratta saying a lot of cattle had come out of the wood work in the past week due to the ongoing dry weather. “Compared to our sale a month ago this could have been probably $50 to $80 cheaper, but bear in mind it’s still very good, it’s just been absolutely extreme, the prices,” Mr Dargan told the Wangaratta Chronicle. “The market was a bit easier today, a very mixed bag of cattle. “People are literally saying if they (the cattle) are going to make that price, I think I will take the money and won’t worry about trying to feed them or carry through the winter. “Everyone has plenty of fodder reserves, I don’t think anybody is what I would call overstocked. “Cattle heavy enough for feedlots still probably attracted the most interest and they were probably no cheaper, cattle around 340 to 350 kilos, lighter cattle had a bit less demand, and secondary cattle were a bit cheaper. “There are not heaps of stock in the countryside and that’s why cattle are making what they are making; further north of us they are still in a restocking process. “The breeding herd has been decimated. “At the end of the day it’s all about supply and demand and there just is not enough supply at the moment.” Helen Murnane from Edi Upper was among cattle producers at Friday's sale looking to the heavens with expectation of usable rain soon. She and her husband Brian Murnane from ‘Running Waters’ run a mixed operation of beef cattle and cropping of oats for hay production. Involved in beef production, in particular Poll Herefords since the 1970s, Helen said 17.5mm of rainfall a fortnight ago was greatly appreciated, but more was needed. “We have an expectation that June will see useable rainfall,” she said. Helen and her husband decided to send six Poll Hereford steers to the saleyards, as feed in the paddock was a little on the light side. The Murnanes have always favoured Poll Herefords for their placid temperament. “As you get older working on a farm, particularly with beef cattle, you need to know that you can get in with the cattle and do what needs to be done without too much risk,” Helen said. “Just look at how placid they are.” The Murnanes offered a pen of six Poll Hereford steers approximately six months of age, with an average weight of 261 kilograms. They were hoping for at least $1500 per head but got $1470 per head, which Helen put down to the large number of cattle yarded. “I think it was best to sell this month, considering the numbers I am pleased with the price,” she said.

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