North-east weaner numbers to vary in 2021

Agents at Wodonga say some sales could offer up to 40 per cent less weaner cattle next month, while agents at Yea are reporting a potential increase in numbers yarded.

Brian Unthank Rural director Michael Unthank, Wodonga, said many annual drafts of weaner cattle had already passed through the Barnawartha saleyard due to the strong demand from the north and south.

However, he said the quality of cattle that would be offered would be far greater.

"Last year we were looking at a top end of 350-360 kilograms but I think you can probably put another 100kg on that," he said.

He said the top ends of calves would weigh up to 450kg, allowing an opportunity for feedlots to buy cattle as well as bullock fatteners who would run the steers through until spring.

"Your backgrounders have been skipped to a certain extent and you will find there won't be much of an opportunity for people to buy these calves and grow them to feeder weight because of the good season," he said.

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Meanwhile, Elders Yea livestock manager Jamie Quinlan said his agency as well as Nutrien were expected to yard up to 6500 cattle across their respective sales.

"Some people might decide to keep them for a little while longer but I'd say we will have north of 3800 cattle here on January 8," he said.

"What buyers will find this year is that the lead drafts will be in the mid-400kg range and there will be only a very small portion of cattle under 350kg."

A feature of some of the weaner sales, according to Mr Quinlan, will be the higher volumes of heifers available.

"We're going to probably see more heifers than have been offered before because people haven't sold any to export market," he said.

"We will have a few nicer runs of Hereford heifers ... and the same goes to some of our Angus breeders."