Annual weaner sale a success

Published on 10 January 2025

Colac Regional Saleyards’ annual weaner sale has been a “magnificent” success, attracting solid prices and crowds of buyers.

People travelled from across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, as well as the local district to bid on almost 2600 head of cattle at Thursday’s Birregurra Steer, Weaner and Female Sale.

The annual sale was at the Colac Otway Shire-managed saleyards.

Colac Regional Saleyards Operations Coordinator Glenn Fraser said he was pleased with how the sale went.

“It was magnificent. It all ran like clockwork,” Mr Fraser said.

Local livestock agents have been planning for the sale for months, and saleyards staff spent the past two weeks preparing the venue, staying busy through the Christmas season.

Work included maintenance, cleaning, laying mulch floor covering and mowing the grounds, ahead of the influx of people and cattle.

“It’s been a process over the last 10 days, with a lot of preparation getting the facility up to scratch,” Mr Fraser said.

Staff began weighing cattle at 11pm the night before the sale, working through the night to ensure all livestock had the correct weight listed for sale.

Mr Fraser said the cattle on offer were of high quality, which was a credit to the vendors considering the dry season in 2024.

“Prices were where we expected them to be based on recent trends. Cows and calves sold to $2500, which is on par with other markets,” he said.

“The best heavy steers at 400 kilograms were making $1600. Those price trends held all the way through.”

Mr Fraser said the sale attracted a lot of repeat vendors, who focused their farming operations on having cattle ready for Colac’s biggest annual sale.

Colac Regional Saleyards are under cover, which makes them attractive to buyers and sellers and more comfortable for cattle. The facility uses a soft mulch to cover the floors, which makes it more comfortable for cattle.

Colac Otway’s Infrastructure and Environment General Manager Doug McNeill said Council was proud to work with livestock agencies to host the sale at the premier facility.

“Council’s investment in the saleyards and work to improve the facility demonstrates our commitment to supporting Colac Otway Shire’s agricultural sector and rural economy,” Mr McNeill said.

“The saleyards’ roof provides shelter from the sun and rain, allowing sales to go ahead in comfort in all conditions,” he said.

“We are thrilled that the saleyards continue to attract livestock buyers from across the eastern states, helping our region’s farmers to attract strong interest in their cattle.”

Colac Regional Saleyards’ weekly sales resume for 2025 on Thursday 16 January, while the next Colac Store Cattle Sale is on Friday 7 March.