Multiple repeat buyers descended on the high-country town of Ensay on Wednesday morning 5 March, ready to snap up some of the best Herefords in Australia at the iconic Hereford Mountain Calf Sale. With more than $1.4 million grossed by the 10 vendors, the sale showcased some of the regions top cattle.
Barry and Topsy Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, sold 199 Hereford, 10-11 month, mixed-sex calves, including 10 steers (407kg) for $1590 a head or 391c/kg, 29 steers (362kg) for $1450 or 400c/kg, and 27 steers (312kg) for $1150 or 369c/kg.
Active buyers included Pat Cleary, Elders Cleary and McDowall, Moss Vale, NSW, who purchased several pens after securing the majority of the first lane of cattle at Benambra on Tuesday. Mr Cleary was one of a few buyers who purchased cattle bound for central NSW. Wellington Livestock picked up several pens for their clients, while Alex Scott & Staff agent Jordan Sim, Warragul, also bought for clients. Elders agent Jamie Quinlan, Yea, was active for several feedlot clients, as was Charles Stewart & Co Livestock agent Matt Baxter.
Evan and Dot Newcomen, Ensay, sold 240 Hereford and Hereford/Shorthorn, 10-month-old, mixed-sex calves, including 14 steers for $1650, 20 steers for $1590 to Wellington Livestock, 20 steers for $1550 to Mr Cleary, 20 steers for $1400 to Nutrien South Gippsland Livestock, and 220 steers for $1140 to Mr Baxter. They also sold 12 heifers for $1050 and 30 heifers for $1030, both to Wellington Livestock.
Reece and Wendy Newcomen, Ensay North, sold 200 Hereford, 9-11 month, mixed-sex calves, including 20 steers for $1620 and 20 steers for $1300, both to Mr Quinlan, as well as 36 steers for $1430 and 36 steers for $1230, both to Wellington Livestock.
Tony and Joanne Prendergast, Swifts Creek, sold 123 Hereford and Hereford/Shorthorn, 9-11 month, mixed-sex calves, with their pen of 22 heifers, sold for $1090 to Mr Sim, awarded the Herefords Australia best-presented pen of the day.
Joe Allen, Elders Euroa, who judged the best-presented pen, said, “I notice them every year, but this year in particular they definitely have all the attributes you look for in a maternal cow. They vary in age, have very wide pins, are structurally sound, and have all the traits needed for a heifer to grow into a large-frame cow for a commercial enterprise.”
Tony Prendergast, who exclusively sells at the Ensay sale, noted that while expectations were uncertain, the result was very pleasing. He primarily uses Nunniong and Newcomen bloodlines and runs a grass-fed operation.
Arthur Angliss once again purchased a pen of Barry Newcomen’s steers, having had excellent performance from last year’s calves.
Wade Hodgson, who bought Nunniong steers for his finishing program, stated, “90% of our animals go into JBS. Our heifers average 280kg, and steers 330kg. We send out about 2000 cattle a year, and those weights remain fairly consistent. Most of our cattle are finished in winter on grass.”
Joe Allen concluded that the overall result was very satisfactory, with prices reaching 20-30c/kg above expectations, following strong sales the previous day. “Year on year, these heifers were making $2.70/kg last year. This year, fat cows are making $3.30-$3.40/kg, which is satisfactory. The cattle are staying locally but are also heading to the Western Districts. There is strong demand from the feedlots and a lot of buyer confidence in the winter market.”
Ensay Mountain Calf Sale Wednesday 5 March 2025
Arthur Angliss, Romsey VIC purchased a pen of Barry Newcomen’s steers.
Jo Beattie, East Trentham, Lee Beattie, Hamilton and Lewis Walter, Hamilton.
Bruce Crane, Bairnsdale and Gary McAinch, Gippsland.
Jenny and Peter Hamilton, Metung, Vic.
Wade Hodgson, Bluey Commins, Ensay and Alastair James, CEO Herefords Australia
Alastair James, CEO Herefords Australian, Tony Prendergast, Swifts Creek and Joe Allen, Elders Euroa.
The buyers gallery at Ensay Mountain Calf Sales 5 March 2025
