That’s the advice from Paul & Scollard Albury livestock agent Tim Robinson, set against a backdrop of beef prices that continue to set records.

“It’s been enormous and prices were dearer again this week,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what grade the cattle are — heavy, light, steers, cows or whatever — if they are in prime condition they are bringing high prices, record prices.”

Mr Robinson said the cow market fired up again at Barnawartha North on Wednesday.

“It’s supply and demand; it was one of the lightest yardings of cows we have had at the new saleyards since they opened,” he said.

“So it’s a great time for producers to take advantage of selling by auction in the marketplace, where they can benefit from unprecedented competition.”

Mr Robinson said producers should start looking to their future herds.

“So if you are selling prime stock, look for the opportunities to invest in the lighter store stock, and hedge against the prices for restocking in spring,” he said.

“You can sell 30 big ones and buy 30 lighter ones, which will eat only a fraction of the feed.

“The pastures are ready to go and I believe it is better to have stock ready to eat the grass, rather than wait for the grass to grow before you restock.”

Mr Robinson said he could not see a drop in prices on the radar.

“Nothing is guaranteed and everything has a top,” he said.

“But prices have been very good for six months and while demand outweighs supply, prices are pretty safe.

“That demand is being driven by the export market and the lack of cattle numbers in northern NSW and Queensland.”

A month ago Leann Dax, who has been with Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service since 2000, said the record prices were unprecedented.

“Last week we saw, for the first time since records were started in 1996, the Eastern Young Cattle Index crack 500c/kg,” she said.

“And at Barnawartha North there was an isolated sale of 40 bullocks, weighing in at 605 kilograms, from Moyhu that reached 325c/kg; that’s $1984 for each animal.

“And the equivalent of 602c/kg on the EYCI; it’s amazing, impressive.”

Ms Dax said all grades of cattle were setting records.

“The price of cows went through the roof at Barnawartha North on Wednesday, topping at 255c/kg and an average of 242c/kg for better stock; overall, that is 25-40c/kg better than last week,” she said.

Ms Dax said demand had driven prices up, with feedlot buyers the market drivers.

“There are considerably fewer cattle entering the market, with farmers now deciding to hold on to whatever cattle they have in the paddock, not just heifers and cows but also secondary steers,” she said.

“With the good rains and the realisation that good prices look set for a while there is a lot less ‘Take the money while we can’ thinking.”