Upper Murray fires have big impact on yarding for Wodonga weaner sale

The Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange had advertised 7000 Angus mixed sex weaners would be sold yesterday, but when the sale kicked off the final yarding had dropped to 4100 with the fires a major contributing factor in the reduction.

Access to the Upper Murray has been heavily restricted since the fire broke out on Monday night with fears hundreds of cattle have been destroyed or badly burnt following initial property assessments carried out by Agriculture Victoria.

A final figure on the stock losses may not be available until next week.

Buyer numbers at the weaner sale were also down on previous years.

Long-time industry participants are struggling to recall a more hellish situation impacting on what are widely regarded as the region's blue ribbon sales.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Commission buyer Graeme Ward said the fires were at the forefront of most people's thoughts.

"Everyone is shellshocked about what has happened," he said.

"It is very savage what is going on up there, but going back a month ago they would have also been buying a few cattle here.

"Those who did sell cattle got away with it pretty well because of the northern feedlot demand."

Agent Peter Ruaro said the restricted access to the Upper Murray since the fire started had been a major stumbling block for producers wanting to sell their cattle.

"Access in and out of up there has been the biggest issue," he said.

"Some clients straight out said they wouldn't be sending their cattle because they didn't want an accident to happen.

"There were some who wanted to get out, but weren't permitted to do so.

"It was a still pretty good yarding of cattle given what everyone has gone through."

Garry Edwards, the managing director of the company which owns NVLX, said the bushfire conditions would see devastating and ongoing effects throughout the area.

"NVLX management and staff's thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this significant event and we will endeavor to assist in any way possible," he said.

"It is expected that the Upper Murray fires will have some impact on the number of livestock sold at weaner sales.

"NVLX have feeding facilities available for immediate use for those producers affected by the fire events occurring in the Upper Murray and East Gippsland."

Top quality Angus weaner steers sold to a top of $1360 a head at the first of this year's annual Wodonga weaner sales on Thursday.

Weaner heifers sold to a top of $1090 a head.

Corcoran Parker director Justine Keene, Wodonga, said the bulk of the weaner steers made about 300 to 320 cents a kilogram which was a solid result.

"There were plenty of cattle at the heavier end which formed the base in the market," he said.

"These heavier weights meant a lot of cattle were falling into the feedlot weights and hence bought by feedlots.

"The lighter cattle were mopped up by the local producers."

The top priced pens of weaner steers were offered by JA and ST Adams, Mill Park, Staghorn. These European Union- accredited steers sold across four pens (80 head in total) for a top of $1360. They were Dunoon-blood and had an average weight of 425kg.

The top weaner heifers were sold by Marcus Oats, Living Springs, Indigo Valley, for $1090 a head. These 10- to 11-month-old females had an average weight of 392kg and were by Murra- and Witherswood-blood bulls. These heifers were also judged the best presented pen of heifers.

The award for the best presented pen of steers went to a pen of 388kg nine- to 10-month-old Angus weaners sold by Steven Clark, Deepdale, Tallarook. They sold for a healthy $1180 a head and were by Witherswood, Anvil and Riga bulls.

The sale was conducted by Brian Unthank Rural, Peter Ruaro Livestock/Rodwells Wodonga, Corcoran Parker and Schubert Boers.

The sales at Wodonga continue on Friday with an estimated 3500 Angus weaners expected by selling agents Elders and Paull and Scollard Landmark to go under the hammer.

- with Karen Bailey, of The Land