Smile for the camera: Now a common sight at livestock auctions, a computer operator broadcasts video of the sale ring, while this Jersey heifer at the Nathalia sale poses for the camera.
Recent dairy auctions have seen cow prices climb higher as farmers try to rebuild their herds and capitalise on improved milk prices.
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While there has been a steady flow of retirements from the dairy industry during the past 12 months, established farms are snapping up new cows, particularly those with good breeding.
At Nathalia on Thursday, September 2, the top heifer from Peter Sprunt’s Yalcara Jerseys stud sale sold for $9000, and a recent sale of 350 head at Echuca saw a gross return of close to three quarters of a million dollars.
Mr Sprunt said he knew the Valentino heifer would do well but was surprised at the final price.
Dairy auctioneer Brian Leslie said recent sales had demonstrated strong demand for quality cows.
Virtual reality: There were no cattle in the auction shed for this sale held earlier this year at Toolamba. Bidders could see the lots on the monitor.
Photo by
Geoff Adams
Dairy Livestock Services manager Scott Lord said the demand was being driven by improved milk prices and seasonal conditions including better water availability.
“People are wanting to put more milk in the vat. We’re also seeing some who had de-stocked coming back into the market,” Mr Lord said.
Sales continue
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, sales are still being held across the region as food production is considered an essential service.
Livestock companies like Dairy Livestock Services are using technology to make it easier for farmers to buy and sell stock over the internet.
Mr Lord said the company had already begun using the technology, and the restrictions due to COVID-19 appeared to have accelerated the uptake.
“Farmers seem to be getting more accustomed to the technology, so it’s easier for them to make a bid without having to attend the sale,” he said.
“Some farmers can be sitting in their tractor, getting on with work and making a bid on their mobiles.”
At the Yalcara sale, 70 per cent of lots were sold online.
While quite a few sales are now run with in-person and online options, the cattle do not always have to be in a yard.
Sales have been conducted using pre-recorded film of the stock.
As for the COVID-19 restrictions, the livestock agents travel with work permits and set up COVID-safe plans for any live auction.
They rely on the border bubble to travel across the Murray River between Victoria and NSW.
Individual sales have their own QR codes for everyone attending and sanitiser is freely available.
At Shepparton Regional Saleyards, casual observers have been shut out as only buyers can attend.
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