SOME 1500 cattle went under the hammer Tuesday May 16 at the Myrtleford Weaner and Feature Female Sale at Matheson Road, but the market's decline from last year had some farmers disappointed.
Smoko–based cattle farmer Eugene Tomasoni was bitter about cattle's price drop compared to last year, especially with increasing inputs costs, like machinery and its associated maintenance.
"You can't even replace your ute now – they've doubled in price in the last 10 years," he said.
Mr Tomasoni said he sold 11 steers at the sale for $3.50 per kilo, but last year he would have received over $7.20.
"I'd like to know why there's been such a big drop because beef prices in the shops haven't reflected that," he said.
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"We get half what we got last year – it's disappointing."
Murmungee–based cattle farmer Scott Witherow was more upbeat, and said while the cattle market had dropped considerably since last year, his breeding program had resulted in far heavier cattle, meaning even his low–weight steers were heavier than last year's high–weight steers.
"Our tops last year were 308, and our bottoms this year are 312 kilos," he said.
He attributed the increase in size to the Black Aqua Angus bulls in his breeding program.
"They seem to be working very well for us at the moment," he said.
"All their weights have come up from last year."
Mr Witherow sold 30 steers and 30 heifers, with top–weight steers making $1330 per head and top–weight heifers making $900, but despite the increased weights he said his cattle sold around a $1000 less per head than last
Livestock manager for Nutrien Ivone Agencies, Dan Ivone, said abattoirs across the eastern seaboard are facing labour shortages, driving down cattle prices as less cattle being slaughtered means farmers have less need to restock.
"These are abattoirs that kill 800 to 1000 a day," he said.
"At the moment they're probably killing 500–600 a day."
Mr Ivone also said the drought across America is still driving down cattle prices because American farmers have cut their own stock numbers to survive, filling a market that would usually take Australian beef.
However, Mr Ivone said buyers at the Myrtleford market were impressed with the quality and presentation of the cattle, which encourages repeat buyers.
