A TALE of mixed fortunes could best describe a variable-quality yarding of steers and heifers sold at Leongatha last Thursday.
There was a smaller crowd than at the previous market two week earlier, which led to some of the crossbred steers and leaner types selling a little easier.
M&K Smith, Hazelwood South, sold three Angus bullocks for $1030, topping the sale.
A line of 72 yearling Angus steers offered by R Agostino, Nambrok, sold to strong demand and achieved a very tight price range of $945-$965.
Hengstberger & Lloyd, Fish Creek, sold 29 Angus steers at $850-$910 and C Fleming, Willung, sold 12 Hereford steers for $965.
Most of the yearling off and older steers sold at $685-$965.
S Beckman, Glengarry, sold 23 Angus and Angus-Simmental steers, of outstanding quality and aged 14-16 months, at $770-$950.
All of these older steers were about $20 easier in price.
Brian McCormack, Landmark Leongatha, said the light to medium steers were $20-$50 softer with the very high prices of the previous sale not being repeated.
Mr McCormack said this result was on the back of what was potentially the dearest sale of the year.
Mt Angus stud, Trafalgar, sold 13 Angus steers (315 kilograms liveweight) for $750, and DW&ML Taylor, Mirboo North, sold Angus steers (314kg) for $730.
These sales were considered to be near to equal in price to those of a fortnight earlier.
Most lighter weight and younger steers sold at $400-$650.
The Firs, Korumburra, sold 41 steers at $450-$525.
J Edebohls, Glengarry, sold 26 Blonde d'Aquitaine-cross heifers at $560-$620, achieving the top heifer price of the day.
Most heifers sold at $300-$550.
The Firs, Korumburra, sold 88 heifers at $460-$510.
Only a very small selection of cows and calves was yarded.
S Fairbrother, Boolarra, sold three Blonde d'Aquitaine-cross cows and calves for $1010.
Most cows and calves sold at $700-$990.