Victorian cow-calf producers are flat out preparing 70,000 steer and heifer weaners for the January calf sales in southern Australia.
The 24-sale January weaner sales series is a true showcase of the southern beef industry and its contribution to the nation’s wealth.
On current values, about $40 million will flow into producers’ bank accounts during January.
Local restockers and interstate backgrounders will be there in numbers to buy.
In particular, expect an influx of buyers, cattlemen from northern NSW and Queensland.
Mostly, they've had better rain and greener pastures than those seen in the south.
This should lift the competition during the string of January calf sales.
Some will be there just to have a look, such is the high reputation that these calf sales have generated over the years, making them one of the highlights on Australia's annual livestock calendar.
Breeding decisions for this year’s offering were made two years ago.
And when vendors’ families and employees are added to the numbers of local and distant transporters, yard staff, agents and buyers, it becomes clear that this is an industry of significance.
By the time January is over, 70,000 calves will have been sold in the main run of sales in what is now described by some, as the biggest agricultural "event" in southern Australia.
And there are sales in February to come.
This is on top of the 30,000 calves that have already been sold at big annual sales in Victoria's north-east and at Naracoorte, SA, in December.
Recent end-of-year weaner sales at Euroa, Yea, Vic, and Naracoorte, SA, have already set a benchmark of 200c/kg for 320kg steers.
Whether these prices go higher is anyone's guess.
But with that rain in the north and strong demand a feature at the January sales, there is every likelihood prices will push higher.
Stephen Paull at Paull and Scollard, Wodonga, Vic, says the southern sales series kicks off January 2 at Wodonga when his company, plus Brian Unthank Rodwell, Peter Ruaro and Kindellan Livestock will sell about 4000 weaners.
Mr Paull says nearly all the calves at these sales are bred and held specially.
He says following a run of poor seasons in Victoria's north-east and Riverina, the cow herd is depleted and he doubts there will be many calves for sale after January.
"If buyers haven't secured their calves buy the end of the main run of sales, they'll find it difficult to source cattle," he warned.
Mr Paull says that, with cheaper grain for feedlot rations and a scarcity of supply of cattle, prices should move higher.
Elders Andrew Gunn, Hamilton, says just under 29,000 calves will be sold by all agents at Hamilton and Casterton, Vic, alone between January 5 and 22.
He says it is a privilege for agents to represent vendors at these sales.
"Where else in Australia can you secure superior genetics in large lines, designed to contribute to high performance profit margins?" he askes.
"Above all, the calves are renowned for their doing ability wherever they go.
"On the whole, the calves will present well in strong forward condition.
"However, due to the lack of spring rains (in Vic), the calves generally will not have the weight compared to those of last year."
In the Elders drafts at Hamilton and Casterton, Mr Gunn says nearly 3000 calves will be sold EU Accredited, with many buyers and clients realising the benefits of the accreditation.
The Wodonga Annual Weaner and Grown Steer sale, which has become a feature sale of the north-east, will this year take on a new format.
Renowned throughout the country for its quality and large yardings, in a facility capable of meeting both vendors' and buyers' presentation requirements, the sale will this year be held over two days - Thursday January 8 and Friday, January 9, starting at 10.30am both days.
Schedule for these weaner sales is:
January 2 Wodonga 4000
January 5 Hamilton 3000
Colac 3000
January 6 Hamilton 3700
Colac 2000
January 7 Hamilton 2000
January 8 Hamilton 2600
Wodonga 5000
Naracoorte 3500
January 9 Casterton 3300
Wodonga 3000
January 14 Hamilton 2900
Kyneton 1000
January 15 Hamilton 3700
Mansfield 1500
Yea 3000
Naracoorte 2000
Euroa 2000
Warrnambool 2500
January 19 Casterton 2400
January 22 Casterton 2000
January 23 Mt Gambier 3000
January 30 Naracoorte 4500
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