Mountain Calf Sales kick-off for 2024 with 900 cattle at Hinnomunjie, Australia

Cattle buyers from all corners of Victoria descended on Hinnomunjie for the inaugural Mountain Calf Sale of 2024, the first of the five iconic sales over two days. Agents yarded about 900 cattle for the annual high country sale where weaner cattle sold to $1500 a head. Nutrien East Gippsland Livestock manager Brad Obst said the buyers were evenly spread geographically across three states. "The quality of the cattle, especially in the Herefords was outstanding," he said. "It became evident as the sale progressed that buyers were chasing the top-end of the sale." The sale started with two pens of spring 2022-drop steers, Karoonda and Yarram Park-blood, consigned by Donald Betts, Omeo/Benambra, including 12 Hereford/Shorthorn-cross steers, 637 kilograms, which made $2000 a head or 313 cents a kilogram, and 20 steers, 559kg, for $1900 or 339c/kg. The first pen was bought by agent Jamie Quinlan, Elders Yea, while the second pen was bought by a purchaser from Dargo. Mr Betts also sold ...