![Warrnambool weaner sales better than expected Warrnambool weaner sales better than expected](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/joely.mitchell/d471933b-2f63-46e4-916b-a5c0de08fd2c.jpg/r0_82_4628_2694_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Warrnambool and surrounding districts have come through a very cold and dry winter.
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With the lack of rain and low ground temperature pasture growth reduced, but late spring rain in October, it meant the harvest of silage and hay was successful and that farmers now have fodder stored.
The late season on the Western District has enabled our beef producers to hold bullocks and vealers to finish with a great weight in their product.
The annual weaner sales are nearly finished in this area, with the best calves weighing over 400 kilograms liveweight and topping at 290-310 cents a kilogram.
The lighter end of calves at 300kg made between 305-325c/kg.
Weaner sales have produced better than expected results with strong competition from live exporters, feedlots and local farmers.
Dairy farmers are currently finding conditions very difficult, with grain prices high due to the reduced Australian grain harvest.
They have some relief to their cashflow with surplus dairy heifers, both joined and un-joined, being sold to the live export trade.
With February on our doorstep, the annual beef bull sales will commence.
This is an excellent opportunity to improve genetics and herd value with the introduction of new breeding.
The Australian dollar is at the low of 70 cents US and hopefully in 2019 this will give the farming sector some advantage.
As usual Warrnambool will be hosting the May Race Carnival, this year being on April 30 and May 1 and 2, so book in early.