Strong prices for cattle markets
Strong cattle prices are dominating both dairy and beef sales around West Gippsland, despite sales continuing to operate in a restricted environment.
After a five-week suspension because of COVID-19 restrictions, dairy sales have returned at the Warragul saleyards, as well as a number of herd dispersal sales.
There have been three dairy herd dispersal sales held at the Warragul facility within a four-day period including last Thursday, Friday and today.
The bi-monthly dairy sales at Warragul also have returned in great strength with the second sale due this Friday.
When the dairy sales returned on May 1, the Elders and Alex Scott and Staff sales report indicated commercial Holsteins sold to $3500.
VLE managing director Wayne Osborne said the suspension of calf and dairy sales at Warragul was never long term but they needed time to assess the COIVID-19 restrictions and impact on how sales would operate.
He said as well as the bi-monthly dairy sales, there had been strong demand from a number of agents wanting to hold dispersal sales at Warragul on behalf of their clients.
Mr Osborne said prices had been very strong at prime cattle and store sales at both Warragul and Pakenham in recent weeks.
Nathan Gibbon Livestock is operating private scales on his Lardner property to “fill the gap” following the closure of Warragul Saleyards for fat cattle and prime markets.
Operating on a Wednesday, NGL advertises each week for dairy and beef cows, bullocks, steers, heifers and bulls.
Mr Gibbon said producers were paid on the dead weight (carcass weight) of their cattle, which he said was the fairest price.
He said he had long standing relationships in the beef industry so people relied on him to purchase cattle to their requirements.
Mr Gibbon said numbers through the scales over the past month had continued to increase but were generally more than 150 each week.
“It has been successful because I am grading the cattle and getting the producers as much as I can.
“Cattle in general are at very good prices at the moment. It’s all about supply and demand and at the moment the whole eastern side of Australia has grass.
“While the season is good, cattle can’t help but be good,” he said.
Mr Gibbon said his scales was filling the gap since Warragul saleyards closed.
“Producers weren’t happy and I was lucky I had a good facility because a lot of these cattle weren’t going to find their way to Pakenham and Leongatha.
“I am getting new business all the time. But if Warragul re-opened tomorrow for fat cattle and choppers I don’t think I’d continue to operating the scales.
“I would love to see a saleyards in Baw Baw Shire,” he said.