Cattle prices on the rise

A QUALITY yarding attracted strong demand at the most recent Swan Hill cattle market, where all prices rose due to competition.

Eyes were on Thursday’s sheep sale at the local livestock exchange –  to see if the trend would continue.

There were 13,000 sheep yarded for Thursday’s sale.

Elders livestock specialist Matt Rowlands said a further 15,000 were also going into the yards at Ouyen.

“We are hoping to see the recent positive trend from the cattle sale carry over here this week,” Mr Rowlands said.

“The sheep job has been doing better for the past five to 10 days and I am confident the quality sheep will attract a lot of interest.”

The cattle sale had seen a total of 766 head on offer, with cows selling 10c to 15c/kg dearer, and secondary cows doing even better, selling out to 40c/kg dearer than a fortnight ago.

Heavy cattle sold 10c to 15c dearer for the best quality, while the trade cattle lifted by up to 40c/kg for the best – and topped at 413.6c/kg.

Store and plainer cattle also followed the sale trend and finished 5c to 15c/kg dearer, depending on quality.

Some of the better results from the sale included steer vealers (up to 350kg) making from 164 to 408.6c/kg. Top prices were 408.6c/kg, Jakall Trust, Merringur; 338.6c/kg, Orange Grove Pastoral, Balranald; and 324.6c/kg, PA & JJ Chisholm, Swan Hill.

Other top results were:

Heifer vealers (up to 350kg) realising between 155c/kg and 413.6c/kg with the sale high going to Jakall Trust, Merringur. After them was 393.6c/kg for D Davies, Swan Hill, and 357.6c/kg made by JN Arthur from Moulamein.

Trade steers (from 351 to 500kg) made from 180c/kg to 411.6c/kg. Top prices were 411.6c/kg to Sharps Pastoral, Jefcott; 408.6c/kg for N & G Williams, Swan Hill; 395.6c/kg for R Ey, Yaapeet; 370.6c/kg, AR Clarke, Tooleybuc; and finally 368c/kg for Vallance Farms, Tempy.

Trade heifers (from 351 to 500kg) sold between 185c/kg and 363.6c/kg. Top was Coobool Downs from Mellool, followed by 343.6c/kg for I Hodgson Pty Ltd, Kyalite, and 341.6c/kg going to Redwood Park Produce, Koraleigh.

In the export steers (500kg+) buyers paid between 223c/kg and 370c/kg, with the 370c/kg realised by CW & KS Fisher, Yaapeet, followed by 365.6c/kg to W Fisher, Yaarpeet; 365c/kg to Woolmark Pty Ltd, Koraleigh; 350.6c/kg for Redwood Park Produce, Koraleigh; 347.6c/kg for Coobool Downs from Mellool; and 338c/kg was made by AD Bryan, Mellool.

Then the export heifers (also 500kg+) sold just as strongly, making between 235c/kg and 347.6c/kg. Coobool Downs from Mellool topped this category as well. Other good prices were 340c/kg for Dante Pty Ltd, Speewa Island, and 326.6c/kg going to Anthony Pastoral Co at Moulamein.

Cows also attracted plenty of competition, with buyers paying from 170c/kg to a sale high 276c/kg, which went to AD Bryan at Mellool. Other results included 275.6c/kg for LE & J McKenzie, Koraleigh; 266.6c/kg for LE & J McKenzie, Koraleigh 262c/kg; and JN Arthur, Moulamein, with MW & AS Murray, from Stoney Crossing, matching that price. Finally there was 260c/kg for Vallance Farms from Tempy.

The small number of cow and calf units saw a sale high of $1600, which was achieved by Dante Pty Ltd from Speewa Island.

A few bullocks sold between 246c/kg and 348.6c/kg, with ML & LK Brawn, coming from Pental Island, realising that top price.

The final category was a handful of bulls (weighing 701kg+) going for 230c/kg to 240c/kg, with the sale high achieved by JN Arthur out of Moulamein.

Digital Editions


  • Almond boss resigns

    Almond boss resigns

    ALMOND giant Select Harvests is on the hunt for a new boss after shock news its chief executive is stepping down. Chief executive and managing…

More News

  • Dog’s Day Out arrives in the Mallee

    Dog’s Day Out arrives in the Mallee

    THE iconic spluttering rumble of Lanz Bulldog Tractors is set to roar across Swan Hill and Woorinen next month, when the Mallee Steam, Oil and Machinery Club hosts Dog’s Day…

  • Perfect storm for grape industry

    Perfect storm for grape industry

    This year is certainly testing ones resolve, excessive heat, high water costs, record low grape prices, 170mm of rain at the wrong time and now the fuel issue. After eventually…

  • Holding on to their heritage

    Holding on to their heritage

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 531373 TRADITIONAL family farms, passed down from generation to generation, are becoming rarer and rarer these days. With the growth in corporate farming, greater…

  • Wet weather halts harvest

    Wet weather halts harvest

    It’s been an eventful start to harvest for the almond industry. Like all of agriculture in the region, Mother Nature and geo-political tensions have played a hand in providing extra…

  • Royal Commission push back

    Royal Commission push back

    A FIERY clash in Federal Parliament has reignited the bitter fight over the future of the Murray-Darling Basin, with the federal environment minister rejecting claims the government is “destroying family…

  • Call for royal commission into water welcomed by irrigators

    Call for royal commission into water welcomed by irrigators

    FARMING communities have backed a call for a federal Royal Commission into water, saying it is time to expose the “treachery, lies and shonky deals” behind the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.…

  • Nationals push to protect prime farmland with new federal Bill

    Nationals push to protect prime farmland with new federal Bill

    THE Nationals have moved to block taxpayer funding for energy and mining projects on Australia’s best farming land, unveiling a new Bill they say is vital to protect the nation’s…

  • Sally returns from Japanese adventure

    Sally returns from Japanese adventure

    I am pretty excited for this week , actually just tomorrow evening specifically when Sally returns from her first globe trotting adventure. Flying in from Osaka Japan, she’s been on…

  • CWA brings life skills program to the Mallee

    CWA brings life skills program to the Mallee

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 539453 A SURGE of community spirit swept through the Mallee when Country Women’s Association of Victoria president Jenny Nola attended the Murray Valley Conference…

  • Basin leaders meet as water plan review looms

    Basin leaders meet as water plan review looms

    NEARLY 200 leaders from across the Murray-Darling Basin gathered in Brisbane last week to debate the future of water management, with northern Victorian councils warning food production and regional communities…