However Elders Swan Hill livestock specialist Matt Rowlands says prices at the most recent round of calf sales last week took a welcome kick through the $2000 mark.
Mr Rowlands said the famed High Country sales at Hinnomunjie, Omeo, Benambra and Ensay, finished the traditional calf-selling season, and Ensay proved its relevance as a store selling centre with Hereford weaner heifers sold to $2240 and Hereford steer weaners to $2130.
At Omeo, prices peaked at $2090.
“Store cattle sales this past fortnight saw a weaker market,” Mr Rowlands said.
“At Swan Hill, quotations ran softer across every category, with only a few standout individuals heading back to the paddock.
“Cow numbers remain limited, with the best making to $1719.53 a head.
“Well-covered friesian steers sold out to close to $1600 a head.”
Mr Rowlands said the market may also start to feel concerns about a shortage of vetch putting added pressure on the hay and fodder industry.
He said while the floods and protracted rain across the region set the scene for an abundance of livestock feed going forward, the wet devastated vetch production across Australia.
There are many reports of vetch crops on the cusp of harvest being ploughed back in because of rain.
“The top price at Swan Hill went to M. Duffy, Nyah, with 440c per kg for trade steers 351-500kg, with a second line from the same vendor making 430c per kg – and the second top price for the sale,” Mr Rowlands said.
“In steer vealers up to 350kg, the price range was 250.6-520c per kg, with Tanany Pty Ltd, via Broken Hill, making 426.6c per kg,” he said.
“In heifer vealers up to 350kg, their range was 200-410c per kg with 410c per kg going to G. Wilson (Kerang).”
Other prices were:
Trade heifers (351-500kg) between 285c/kg and 414.6c/kg with 414.6c/kg going to J.D. & L.E. Matheson (Kerang). Mathesons also made 410c/kg for a second line while R. Ey (Rainbow) realised 368.6c/kg and 360.6c/kg went to H. Vroluks, Tyntynder.
In export steers (500kg+) the sale high of 365c/kg went to Wilangee Pastoral (Broken Hill), while the export heifers from Coobool Downs, Mellool, in the same weight range made 340c/kg.
Bullocks sold to a high of 338c/kg for Eldee Station, near Broken Hill, with 305c/kg going to I. McMillan (Castle Donnington).
Cows made a high of 303c/kg for Z.M. & K.M. Harris (Balranald), with 295c/kg for I.R. & J.R. Dodgshun (Speewa), 294c/kg to Tanany Pty Ltd, near Broken Hill, and 285c/kg for Riverfarm Holdings of Swan Hill.
Cow and calves earned a healthy sale high of $2125 for the Hewitt Family (Swan Hill), while at the extreme end of the scale, a bull (701kg-plus) realised a high of 260c/kg for T.R. & F.M. Hiscock (Balmoral).
The next Swan Hill prime cattle market will be on March 23.
