Confidence as Warrnambool lifts

Trade operators were notably active in securing heavier and forward conditioned steers, while interstate and local restockers as well as feedlotters acquired the younger and lighter stock, pushing steer prices 10 to 15 cent per kilogram above the previous month's sale. Heifer prices were up to 10c/kg higher.

Bidding started with a consistent run of prices in the high 180c/kg range before edging into the 190c/kg range and then breaking through the 200c/kg mark for a draft of 32 Angus 353kg steers from Brucknell Creek that brought 206c/kg or $727 per head.

The 11-12 month old steers from Pathfinder and Miiramook sires were the pick of several lots from the Brucknell Creek weaner enterprise.

Vendor Jamie Simpson said they were weaned in early January and fed on hay since then and he was pleased with the way they presented and with the sale result.

This lot was followed by the sale's top cents per kilogram price when 22 Angus from Rosehill weighing 331kg sold for 210c/kg or $695 per head.

The Barwidgee and Ladrow blood steers were bought by Mt Gambier-based agents Miller Whan and John.

Agents penned 1454 cattle for the sale made up of 899 steers, 467 unjoined heifers, and 84 cows and heifers joined for autumn calving and four bulls.

Several pens in the opening lane of steers were in excess of 400kg and these sold mostly in the range of 181 to 189c/kg to realise a top dollars per head of $861 for a pen of nine Angus weighing 463kg at 186c/kg, bought by Teys Australia, Jindalee, sold on account of SJ & LM Wilder who also sold five Charolais weighing 450kg at 185c/kg or $832.

WJ, JM & SN Kinneally sold 12 Angus, 461kg at 187ckg or $839 and 13 black baldys of 453kg at 187c/kg or $847.

Lighter weights of 360 to 400kg sold from 192 to 199c/kg and those weighing 320 to 355kg ranged from 195 to the top of 210ckg, while plainer lines brought 184 to 192c/kg.

T & K Netherway sold 12 Angus 370.8kg at 192ckg or $712 and 18 Angus 327.8kg at 187ckg or $613.

Open Auction young steers sold to a top of $650, with most ranging from $545 to $600.

Unjoined heifers topped at $723 for 16 Moyne Falls Angus, 455kg, at 159c/kg, purchased by Mt Eccles Partnership, Macarthur.

Welbourne sold 11 Charolais 363.6kg at 170c/kg to Hells Gate and 15 Charolais 320.7kg at 175c/kg to Michael Goldby, Portland.

PK Kerr sold eight Charolais 355kg at 168c/kg to HF Richardson & Co, Colac and Wardston sold eight Charolais/Red Angus at 361kg.

Most other young Angus heifers brought 149 to 160c/kg.

Only one pen of females with with calves at foot was offered, comprising six Angus and Red Angus heifers with six Limousin cross November drop calves. They made $1060 per unit on account of Watsonia.