Spike in heifer prices

Agents yarded 1027 head, mostly out of the high country and around Bairnsdale, with some from as far afield as farms at Genoa and Darriman.

Brad Obst, Landmark EGL, said although the cattle were showing the signs of the cold winter, prices per head return held steady and young cattle sold well.

Many of the farmers present said they were selling excess stock rather than continue feeding them.

Two farmers were selling their annual line, while linishers and farmers were all active bidders.

Steers peaked at $1440 a head, with the top price paid for an Angus steer, 16-18 months, account Jeremy Hardwick, Hillside.

Friesian steers fared well, with two from C Price, Murrindall, 18-20 months, making to $1350. The same vendor sold 13-14mo Hereford black baldy steers that returned $1000.

J Geischen, Valencia Creek, sent in three pens of Angus steers, 18-20 months, that sold to $1300, average $1190.

A pen of eight Angus steers, 15-16 months, vendor Peter Burer, Wy Yung, sold at $1260 each.

St Katherine's, Darriman, sent in two pens of 20 month-old Hereford and black baldy steers, Mawarra-blood. The Herefords sold to a top of $1230, the black baldies to $1190.

Ken and Marg Bridle, Bridle's Better Beef, Genoa, sold 16-18 month-old Hereford steers at $1200 each.

Vince and Diane Pendergast, WA Pendergast & Sons, Benambra, sent in three pens of Hereford steers, 20 months to rising two-year-olds, that sold to $1105, av $985.

Among the weaner steers, P Skehan, Nungurner, sold three Angus steers, 11 months, for a return of $1000.

Jenny Maguire, Sale, sent in a pen of 10 Angus weaner steers, Lawson's bloodline, that fetched $910.

Smith Graziers, Tambo Crossing, sold a pen of 10-12 month-old Hereford steers, estimated 400kg, to $960, or 240 cents/kg. A second pen, estimated 350kg, sold for $800 or 223c/kg.

John and Leeanne White, Lindenow, received $910 each for 22 Charolais steers.

A 20 month-old Murray Grey heifer, vendor R Crofts, Orbost, sold at $1120, while Angus heifers from the same vendor made $1180.

Jeremy Harwick, Hillside, sold 16-18 month-old black baldy heifers to $1089, av $1047.

C Price, Murrindal, sent in 13-15 month-old black baldy and Hereford heifers that returned $930. The price was only $70 shy of the price he received for his steers, same age.

Nungurner Hills sold 7-8 month-old Charolais heifers for $820 each.

K Parker, Deddick, sold 10-12 month-old Angus heifers for $810. A&K Maher received the same price for their Angus heifers.

Jim Pendergast, Penderscourt, Benambra, sent in his annual sale of a line of unjoined heifers with calves at-foot, that returned a top of $1740; three pens sold at $1720.