Yarding numbers hold steady with some reservation

NOVEMBER’s store sale held at the Wangaratta livestock exchange presented mixed bag results with prices holding their own seeing no improvement in comparison to the last few months. Over 1417 cattle were penned lThursday, showing that numbers were holding strong for this time of year. Corcoran Parker stock agent Reiley Murtagh said while prices faired evenly, there is still some reservation in the market due to what has been a tough year for some producers. “Penning numbers were very good for this time of year which was positive for those wanting to buy in the market,” Mr Murtagh said. “The quality of yarding was certainly mixed again, a result of seasonal conditions. “The next three months will govern where the industry will head once we get through the summer period. “Producers are being conservative right now and are off-loading early and hanging onto stock for the upcoming premium sales that will be held early next year.” A pen of Angus heifers with a Angus calf at foot topped in at $1900 while black steers 400-500kg at $3.50/kg, feeder steers 400-500kg at $3.20/kg, re-stocker steers 280-350kg (mixed quality) at $3.70/kg, re-stocker coloured steers 350kg at $3.45/kg, black light steers 225kg at $4.18/kg, feeder heifers 380-480kg at $2.50/kg and lighter heifers 380kg at $3/kg. Cattle producer Brian Bourke from Wangaratta North presented five steers and five heifers all around 540kgs last week said in his 40 years’ experience of producing cattle, has proven to be one of the tougher years he has seen this year. “Every producer is in the same boat where numbers are high, feed is low and are taking stock to the market to make some money and cut back on feeding costs in higher numbers,” Mr Bourke said. “I am 200 bails short this year which has an impact due to seasonal conditions, creating less feed in paddocks and having to outlay more money on feed which alters my bottom line. “Overall farmers did not get the hay quantity they wanted. “I have seen these conditions before and it's a matter of being conservative and trying to nut it out until conditions change, however, we still have a hot and dry summer to get through. “I’m running about 500 cows and calves on my property right now and will have to consider cutting back further to ease the pinch as things will get worse before they get better. “My cows are due to calve in February which is more reason to cut back on numbers as I need to think of the new calves moving forward.” AWN stock agent Peter Dargan believes the dynamics of cattle producing is changing leading into the summer period and is seeing greater numbers of cattle being penned at store sales with most producers trying to cut back in numbers. “The season is really tightening up and as a result, I am seeing a bigger yarding,” Mr Dargan said. “Less hay is being cut as a result of poor seasonal conditions and in some cases, farmers are buying in hay which is either hard to find, or very expensive. “Producers are either trying their best to hang onto stock or cut their losses and sell.”

Yarding numbers hold steady with some reservation

Wangaratta Chronicle, Friday, 23 October, 2026

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