Good sale in tough year
NOBODY would deny it has been a tough season on the bull sale circuit but producers have adjusted their tactics accordingly and the results have been pretty good.
That’s the thoughts from PJH Livestock agent Steven Goodhew in the wake of this year’s Heartland Santa Gertrudis Bull Sale.
He said considering the conditions vendors and buyers were battling, results were better than expected.
“It’s a multi-vendor sale and the Heartland Group has been going for a while now, it was a pretty fair sale,” Mr Goodhew said.
“There were 80-odd head offered and I think the average price was roughly $5800 and the top price was $15,500.”
He said it was no surprise results were down on greener
years but clearance versus cost ratios were pretty good under the circumstances, with 83% of the bulls cleared.
“A lot of people haven’t bought bulls because it’s still too dry or are buying but not the number they need,” he said.
“Some of the clearances on some sales have been down a bit and people are just being more selective.
“So I think our average
and our clearance were probably a little better than expected.”
He said there were about 70 bid cards registered for the sale last Wednesday, with the cattle sold heading far and wide to central Queensland and New South Wales.
Producers also showed their flexibility on the offerings they put up for sale.
“The seed-stock producers are a bit aware of the season
and they’re having a tough season like anyone else,” Mr Goodhew said.
“If they think there’s a bull not up to scratch they won’t put it up for sale.
“So they might have four or five bulls taken out and it helps the clearance and averages as well.
“If they don’t think they will sell they won’t even put them on offer.
“But when you get a break
in the season there are still paddock bulls for sale.
“So people have a bit of an eye on what they want and think ‘when we get a break in the season we can still buy from the paddock’.”
He said vendors remained committed to the sale despite knowing it would be tougher than in recent years and the results turned out to be worth it.