Organic breeder tops Mt Barker sale

Elders' annual Great Southern Breeders Sale last week in Mt Barker indicated a promising future for certified organic cattle prices, according to Mettler producer Richard Davy.

Mr Davy, of Windi Windi Pastoral Co. near Wellstead, took the top pen price at Mt Barker Regional Saleyards last Tuesday for nine Angus heifers pregnancy tested in calf (PTIC), purchased by Denmark's John Williams for $1300 a head.

"My certified organic Angus herd is based on Coonamble and Keston Vale bloodlines," Mr Davy said. "The heifers were displaying femineity, well forward in calf and presented with good colour."

Mr Davy said it was the first time he had taken the top pen price in 10 years of offering cattle at the sale, although he had received higher prices per head in the past.

"It was one of our best results," he said.

"The sale started off pretty slowly, so I was pleased to get that amount of money.

"From a certified organic breeder perspective, it is encouraging for future cattle prices."

At the annual sale, which attracted buyers from across the Great Southern and South West, 500 mated and unmated heifers and cows including Angus, Chargrey and Murray Grey were auctioned from 1pm, with 202 heifers and 108 cows sold on the day.

Auctioneer Ray Norman said the yarding was of exceptional quality with most cattle vendor-bred.

"The heifer buyers were a bit selective on the day, but in comparison the mature cows sold well above our expectations," he said.

Livestock sale co-ordinator Jai Newman said 38 Murray Grey and Chargrey heifers PTIC sold for $1025 a head, while 164 Angus heifers PTIC sold for $995 a head.

In addition, 76 cows PTIC averaged $1038 a head, 32 Angus cows PTIC averaged $899 a head and mature-age cows fetched the lowest price of $700 a head.

Volume buyers K and JE Reddington, of Gairdner, bought 26 heifers and 20 cows, while M and M Gorman, of Wellstead, purchased 34 heifers.