John Purvis at the Elders Blue Ribbon Sale

Sellers were generally happy with prices at the Elders Annual Blue Ribbon Weaner Sale held at the Yea Saleyards today (Fri., Jan. 11)

Ryan Sargeant

Ryan Sargeant (pictured) of the Elders Yea team, led by Bruce Elliott, advertised a sale of 3700 head of cattle from local producers.

The first pen from ‘Box Hill’, run by Mick and Sue Spagnolo (estate of the late Dougal and Bev Drysdale), were knocked down at $1360. It set the pace for the entire sale. Some prices exceeded 350 cents per kg.

The ‘Box Hill’ and ‘Lily’ cattle were prominent throughout the sale.

Similar to last week, a number of local Yea district cattle are bound for Russia, after being sold to Landmark International.

Last week’s sale also saw a number of cattle destined for Tasmania.

The Saleyards were again in excellent condition for the sale, with local temperatures just over 30°.

From left: John Drysdale,. Leigh Drysdale, Heather Drysdale, Susan Spagnolo and Mick Spagnolo

The conditions were about 10° cooler than last week.

Several primary industry identities were disappointed with last week’s coverage by an inexperienced reporter elsewhere who tried to drum up controversy about the cattle being auctioned in a day of more than 40°. Yea Saleyards has an extensive roof, and weather conditions were about 10 degrees cooler for the animals inside the Yea Saleyards complex. Each pen has its own water supply, from rainfall supplies collected at the Yards property. The animals were in a better place at the saleyards, than if they had been in a paddock on their home property, exposed to the elements.

Peter Hauser and Val Hauser

At last week’s sales, workers and volunteers watered all pens prior to the sale. The Committee of Management members work diligently to maintain optimum conditions for animals.

At this week’s Elders sale, the Saleyards system again worked efficiently. This includes a newly-installed $70,000 ramp to assist with the orderly loading for the transport of cattle.

Local vendors, Peter Hauser and Val Hauser of Valley View, were the winners of the Charolais Society prize of top pen for that breed.

Stock & Land, Weekly Times and Local Paper photographers were in attendance to record the event pictorially.

Detailed results from today’s sale will be released later.