Pakenham cattle snapped up by professional buyers

Restocker activity was limited at the fortnightly market where interstate demand for well-bred lines of cattle was mostly firm on recent sales, agents said.

A handful of professional buyers made up most of the buying fraternity, filling orders for clients in northern Victoria, the southern Riverina, northern NSW and southern Queensland.

Local restockers were given an hour-long viewing opportunity prior to the sale and encouraged to leave orders with an agent or professional buyer to limit the amount of spectators during the auction.

Albury-based commission buyer Duncan Brown returned to Pakenham for a second sale in a row, filling orders for Coonamble, NSW, and southern Queensland.

Ron Rutledge, Elders Melbourne, was active buying feedlot and background-entry weight cattle for clients in the southern Riverina and northern NSW.

He said interstate demand for Victorian cattle remained strong, however, the season had "peaked" in NSW following consistent and strong rainfall recently.

Shepparton-based Northern Victoria Livestock agent Jayden Ferrari purchased steers and heifers for clients in the Goulburn Valley, alongside regular commission buyers including Campbell Ross and Anthony Hullick.

Agents reported a mix of results, including some who believed the sale eased slightly on the previous fortnight due to a lower quality, while others said the sale was firm.

Nutrien Pakenham store sale auctioneer Andy Grant said there was strong demand for cattle with weight.

"We have a large buying group who come to the sale but really it was five or six people who did most of the buying," Mr Grant said.

"Females were not far behind the steers and with feedlot-driven business, they won't go in as many days and will come out quicker which leads to a faster return on investment."

Heifers on average made 360-380 cents a kilogram while steers 300-350kg ranged from 360c/kg up to 500c/kg.

Steers which weighed 400-500kg made between 380-400c/kg.

Elders Pakenham livestock agent Carlo Toranto said heifers were as dear as steers in some places.

"We had some heavy steers that were making 360-370c/kg for really heavy steers and then heifers the same weight were not far behind them and then we had feedlot cattle about 400 kilos making over 400c/kg," Mr Toranto said.

Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts auctioneer Jarrod Bennetts said the sale was strong and followed on from a fortnight ago.

"Every class sold well,' he said.

Meanwhile, Alex Scott & Staff Pakenham livestock manager David Setches said a lower quality yarding compared to a fortnight ago made prices ease on lighter cattle up to $50.

"Those northern buyers didn't really have that real go in them for the lighter cattle that they did a fortnight ago," Mr Setches said.

G and S Williamson, Pakenham, sold six steers, 635kg, for $2150 or 338c/kg.

MA Kenny, Balnarring, sold 10 steers, 518kg, for $2050 or 354c/kg.

Molare Pty Ltd, Nar Nar Goon, sold 11 steers, 509kg, for $1930 or 379c/kg.

Gembrae Pty Ltd sold 22 steers, 433kg, for $1700 or 393c/kg.

Lowan Mite Pastoral Co, Alexandra, sold 19 steers, 362kg, fo $1480 or 408c/kg.

J McInerney, Darraweit Guim, sold nine steers, 340kg, for $1410 or 414c/kg.

M Mathwin, Kilmore, sold seven steers, 251kg, for $1130 or 450c/kg.

J Taylor, Humevale, sold 20 steers, 247kg, for $1230 or 497c/kg.

B Freeman, Tooradin, sold 12 steers, 345kg, for $1440 or 417c/kg.

Amaro, Gormandale, sold 16 steers, 335kg, for $1400 or 417c/kg.

Mrs E Jones, Tanjil South, sold 25 steers, 333kg, for $1360 or 408c/kg.

L Dalsanto, Garfield, sold 11 steers, 530kg, for $1890 or 356c/kg.

K and V Rienets, Moe, sold 16 steers, 528kg, for $1830 or 346c/kg.

A Forte, Tonimbuk, sold 15 steers, 478kg, for $1840 or 384c/kg.

Peil Investments, Healesville, sold 13 steers, 301kg, for $1310 or 435c/kg.

J Gibson, Archies Creek, sold seven heifers, 402kg, for $1530 or 380c/kg.

M and S Reedy, Garfield North, sold 10 heifers, 372kg, for $1340 or 360c/kg.

CT and S Biggs, Toolangi, sold seven heifers, 357kg, for $1320 or 369c/kg.

Pinot Melbourne Pty Ltd, Harkaway, sold 10 heifers, 356kg, for $1300 or 365c/kg.

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