WITH autumn on the Monaro regarded as the best in 10, 20 or even 30 years it was inevitable that local competition would mix it with buyers from far away in what is a classic grass market.
That’s exactly what happened at last week’s Bill Wilkinson Agencies’ annual calf sale at Cooma when 2718 mostly Hereford and Angus steers sold from $300-$755, to average $584. Most pens of steers sold in the range of $400-$730.
The 1300 heifers made from $310-$685, to average $467, with most pens making $350-$600.
The BWA sale is thought to be the largest single agent offering in Australia with 4200 head packing the Cooma saleyards this year. Last year it was closer to 5000 but because of herd building, more heifers have been kept this year.
The $2.25 million sale, sold by guest auctioneer Michael Unthank of Brian Unthank Rodwells, Albury, in one run, saw cattle go to through south eastern Australia, including Corryong, Deniliquin, Finley, Myrtleford,Wagga, Rugby, Bathurst, Forbes, Moree, Coonamble, Wangaratta and Mt Gambier.
Major vendor this year was Rod Nichols, Kybeyan Station, who sold 405 Angus steers at $440-$645, to average $598 and 223 Angus heifers at $360-$480, average $467.
“With the season the way it was at Christmas we’re fortunate we’ve got calves for sale, Mr Nichols said. “We nearly ran out of water.”
The Kybeyan Station herd is based on cows from Ailsa and Alan Fox’s herd based at Merton, near Mansfield. Mr Nichols is keeping all the heifers out of the Fox breeders as replacements.
The Kybeyan steers generally sold above 240c/kg. “That’s pretty good,” Mr Nichols said.
AR and C Weston again had many of the front lane pens with their 66 Herefords making $705-$755, to average $727.
Bill Wilkinson said his cattle in the sale were outstanding for quality and condition.
“To think these calves came through a tough winter and tight spring and to see the bloom on them now speaks volumes for the breeding of these cattle; and the Monaro when it rains.
“It’s the best autumn break in 30 years but we do need more rain to bulk pastures up before winter.”
Mr Wilkinson said the heavy autumn-drop steers to 400kg made 180-190 cents a kiliogram liveweightr equivalent with 9-10 month-old weaners $650-$680 or 230c/kg.
“I don’t think we got under $600 until we were in the fourth lane,” Mr Wilkinson said.
He said the heifer sale was outstanding with top autumn-drop heifers making close to $700.
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