AN outstanding draft of dispersal Angus cows with autumn drop Angus calves sold to a $2300 high at Casterton cattle sale last Thursday.
The EU accredited breeding females which made up nearly half the 600 head yarding were offered by Geoff and Susan Sinclair, Noss, Casterton who have sold their property.
The depth of breeding in the females was obvious and over the past 14 years they been using Pathfinder bloodlines exclusively and paying up to $12,000 for sires.
Buyers from as far afield as Gippsland recognised the rare opportunity to purchase the females whose progeny have often been the sale toppers at the Casterton weaner sales each January selling to repeat buyers.
Three pens of the three in one units made the $2300 top price - two of these were 2011 drops and the other 2008 drops.
All 47 of the sale toppers were knocked down to Landmark Naracoorte's Leigh Warne and client Anthony Hurst, Seriston Pastoral, Avenue Range who bid strongly throughout the sale.
Adam Mountjoy, Rodwells Yea, Vic outlasted the competition for the tops of the PTIC heifers paying $1560 for two pens comprising 16 head and 18 head.
The 2013 drop heifers were joined for 10 weeks from May 1.
There was a significant discount for the two pens of heifers not detected in calf. Twelve 439kg heifers made $1220 and nine 369 kg heifers made $1110, both selling to Thomas Foods International.
Overall Noss's 190 cows with calves averaged $2132 while the 69 heifers averaged $1393.
The other cows with calves yarded sold between $1320 and $1700.
A draft of spring calving heifers from Donibristle Partnership, Portland, Vic also sold well.
The 40 PTIC Angus heifers within weeks of calving made $1200 and $1180.
Donibristle also sold 13 third and four calving PTIC cows for $1300 and another nine at $1100.
Mark Storer,Kleenview, Casterton topped the steer offering at $1320 with 22 18-20 month old Angus weighing 426 kg.
MS&PA Munro, Wando Hills sold 15 July-August 2014 drop Angus cross steers weighing 375kg for $1260.
Both pens sold to TFI who bought the majority of the steers and unmated heifers.
Landmark Casterton's Andrew Harrison said the exceptional Noss females sold above their expectations and thanked the Sinclair family for their business over the years.
"We like to think we know what we will get but there was solid support from far and wide."
"They are probably the best run of cows we have ever stood over at Casterton."
Mr Harrison said the other cattle sold on a par with current store sales with feedlot and local restocker demand.
Keatley Livestock's Dale Keatley-whose agency also offered cattle-agreed it was a very strong sale.
"Queensland is still 80 per cent in drought imagine what will happen when it rains in that country and the season around our region and into western Vic is shaping up reasonably well . "Steers are making good money with the feedlots and a lot of people are looking to get into females because a cow and autumn calf and in calf again at $2000 is good buying when compared to a 280kg weaner steer making $1000."