REPORT

Monaro Livestock & Property – 15th Annual Weaner Sale

Wednesday 2nd April 2025

Monaro Livestock & Property held its 15th Annual Weaner Sale on Wednesday 2nd April, which saw nearly 2,900 Monaro-bred weaners yarded and sold in a significantly stronger market compared to two weeks ago. This improvement was driven by timely rain in the South, as well as unprecedented rainfall in northern NSW and Queensland.

Prices, on average, surged by $170-$200 per head compared to the previous sale, as private agents and commission buyers from three states competed eagerly for the high-quality 2024 drop calves. Buyers came from various locations, including Longreach, Goondiwindi, Gunnedah, Trangie, Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Braidwood, Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Wodonga, Corryong, Pakenham, and South Gippsland, with the odd local buyer looking to secure stock before winter.

A total of 92 registered bidders set a fast pace right from the first pen, which saw genuine spring drop Angus steer weaners weighing 390kg sold for $1,640 ($4.20/kg). Heavier Angus steers, ranging from 300-370kg, were in high demand, with one buyer from Dubbo purchasing the entire front lane for prices between $1,450-$1,640 ($4.20-$4.55/kg).

Medium-weight steers from 280-300kg were also highly sought after, selling for $1,280-$1,380 averaging $4.45-$4.70/kg.

Lighter steers under 270kg fetched strong prices, ranging from $1,000-$1,280 ($4.60-$4.87/kg). Several pens of well-bred lighter Angus steers breached the $5/kg mark on two occasions.

Heavier Hereford steers, over 300kg, sold for up to $1,500, with prices ranging between $1,230-$1,500 ($3.97-$4.14/kg). Middle-weight Hereford steers from 260-290kg sold for $1,150-$1,230, averaging $4.03/kg, which represented an increase of approximately 70 cents/kg from the previous sale.

Younger, plainer steers under 180kg, were in numbers from some of the drier parts of the Monaro, sold for $750-$950.

Heifers were in strong demand, with a pen of Angus yearling heifers weighing 376kg selling for $1,280 ($3.40/kg). Hereford heifers weighing 384kg made $1,240 ($3.26/kg), and a pen of Charolais heifers fetched $1,260 ($3.34/kg).

Genuine Angus and Black Baldy heifer weaners reached $1,220, with heavier drafts ranging from $1,050-$1,220 ($3.45-$3.65/kg).

The middle run of heifers sold for $800-$980 for both Herefords and Angus breeds, while lighter, younger heifers traded for $600-$750.

Monaro Livestock would like to congratulate all their vendors on the condition of their cattle after a tough spring/summer period leading up to this sale. We would also like to thank all our yard staff and local livestock carriers for their efforts in preparation for this annual sale.