EXCEPTIONAL rates were paid for the offering of F1 heifers at Camperdown's annual sale today, with some vendors reporting prices $200 a head higher than last year.
Allan Hickey, of Elders, said it was the first time in many years agents had combined the joined and unjoined heifer sales, which is traditionally held over two days.
"F1 females are hard to find, and our joined numbers were down by 150 head, so we were able to fit them in on the one day," he said.
A big buying gallery competed for the 790 joined heifers and 600 unjoined heifers.
Local buyers provided much of the demand for the joined run - along with Gippsland, while the region was also active in the unjoined heifers.
"It was a huge crowd…one we haven't seen in the many years," Mr Hickey said.
It was a different story to last year, because of depressed state of slaughter cattle, but he said a "new enthusiasm" was apparent.
"There's been a massive kill off, but now export prices are rising and it is seriously raining in the north…and people are feeling confident," Mr Hickey added.
"Not every pen set the world on fire, but the job was very strong."
In the breakdown, joined F1 heifer rates soared to $1480, with many drafts selling from $1100 to the top price.
Bids reached $935 for F1 unjoined heifers, but many made between $750-$850.
Regular vendors Graham and Merilyn Sutherland received the highest price on the day at $1480 for their pen of Angus-Friesians, 2.5 years-old, depastured to Mandayen Limousins LBW high growth bulls.
All up, the family sold 50 head.
Eddie Kondys, Chapplevale of Parrook Partners, was another happy vendor on the day.
He sold 50 Angus Friesians heifers, 2.5yo, depastured to Mandayen Limousin bulls for 10 weeks, to a top of $1300, and an estimated average of $1200.
"The fat markets kicked up this week, and that reflected in the price people were prepared to pay," Mr Kondys said.
Not surprised by the turnaround in prices compared to 2014, he added prices were "where they should be". "I averaged $275 more today than last year at the same sale…and I've been coming here for last 20 years," he said.
Vendors Malcolm and Rhonda Alexander also fared well, with averages up by $250 compared to 2014.
They sold 46 Angus-Friesian heifers, synchronised to a Limousin to calf from mid-February for six weeks, which topped at $1320.
The highest price in the unjoined section at $935 was received by Devondale Farms for their 20 Angus-Friesians, 18 months-old.
