STORE cattle were again very 'buy-able' as yearling-age steers averaged 185-188 cents a kilogram and heifers 165-168c/kg during a special sale of 850 head at Casterton on Thursday.
Rick Smith, Landmark, said the yarding was a mixed offering of yearling-off cattle or younger weaners that didn't finish due to the failed spring in the greater southwest region.
A single feeder lot order from the Riverina and local southwest agents provided the bulk of the buying competition along with a selective interest from Albury, NSW.
The market’s top priced pen was a yard of seven Angus steers, weighed at 468kg that made $845 a head.
These were sold by Colin Roulston of Henty while Rockanya sold two yards of 16-18 month-old Hereford steers, 441kg that made to $775.
A pen of 20 Angus steers, 365kg, made $695 a head for Aaronlea while Kaladbro Station sold two yards of Angus steers with the second-draft of 40 (301kg) sold at $565.
Chris Lagoon sold Angus-Hereford steers, 408kg, at $730 a head while Sunnyside sold a yard of 21 Charolais steers, 394kg, at $755 a head.
Preparing early for his 60th anniversary weaner sale with the Elders Casterton branch, 84 year-old Kevin Upton offered an initial draft of his renowned Glencairn Hereford weaners squeezed out early from his Chetwynd country (40km to the north of Casterton) because of the tight season.
The heaviest pen weighing 287kg made $595 a head while a second pen of 47 steers, 244kg, realized $525.
Other pens of March-April 14-drop weaner steers were sold $442 to $580 while a pen of seven Charolais steers, 306kg, topped the sales of weaners by making $600 a head.
Demand and competition for heifers was limited as opening pens saw selling rates vary from 138 to 163c/kg lwt as dollar per head sales ranged from $500 to $605.
The market top was secured by Chris Lagoon on a yard of 369kg Angus-cross while Fairview sold 411kg heifers at $595.
Vendor, Doughboy, sold Angus heifers 311kg to $540 while Kevin Upton’s Glencairn Hereford weaners, 275kg, made to $475, and $380 a head for a second draft weighed at $380.