Dry conditions resulted in prices declining slightly at the Mortlake store sale on Thursday, as producers hang onto hope that this week's forecast rain eventuates.
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Southern Grampians Livestock agent Glenn Judd, Mortlake, said the area had experienced a dry period in recent weeks.
Mr Judd said if the forecast 50 millimetres of rain didn't fall in the western district over the next few days, producers would be faced with some tough decisions.
"The area needs rain," he said.
"It's dried up a little bit too quickly down here and people are holding off on buying.
"If it keeps raining, the job will be quite solid, but if it remains dry, there will be a bit of a sell-off.
"We're hoping like hell we get 50mm of rain in the western district."
However, he said even if the rain did fall, it was unlikely it would result in run-off water to fill dams.
Agents yarded about 2700 head of cattle at the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange.
Mr Judd said weaner steers were about 15-20 cents a kilogram cheaper than a month ago, while heifers were 15-20c/kg cheaper.
He said grown steer prices held firm, achieving a top price of 586c/kg.
He said Midfield Meats and Teys were active at the sale, while there was strong bidding on AuctionsPlus for cows and calves.
Elders livestock agent Kane Hildred, Mortlake, confirmed there was a "cheaper trend" at the sale.
Mr Hildred said producers were "desperate for rain", however, rain falling during the sale provided "a bit of a confidence boost".
He said buyers for feedlots were absent because there wasn't a lot of heavier cattle on offer.
M&M O'Grady sold seven, 309kg, Angus steers for 562c/kg or $1737 a head.
Tex Irrigation & Plumbing sold six, 336kg, Angus weaner steers for 560c/kg or $1882.
Ferndale Family Trust sold eight, 302kg, Angus steers for 560c/kg or $1691.
SD Ward sold seven, 235kg, Angus weaner steers for 602c/kg or $1415.
Cattlefield sold 12, 233kg, Angus weaner steers for 548c/kg or $1277.
The Grange sold nine, 444kg, Angus grown steers for 510c/kg or $2264.
P & GJ Thomas sold 15, 437kg, Angus steers for 524c/kg or $2290.
TF Hodge sold seven, 313kg, Hereford grown steers for 529c/kg or $1656.
Waynmar Holdings sold six, 409kg, Hereford grown steers for 490c/kg or $2004.
Shaftesbury sold nine, 331kg, Simmental weaner steers for 522c/kg or $1728.
R&S Cameron sold 10, 442kg, Angus heifers for 482c/kg or $2572.
Glendene sold 15, 319kg, Hereford heifers for 458c/kg or $1461.
Monique Patterson
I'm a journalist with almost two decades' experience. I currently work at Stock & Land. If you have any story tips please email me at [email protected]
