FRIDAY's yarding at Bairnsdale of 790 head saw store cattle prices climb to 219 cents a kilogram liveweight.
Steers sold to $1045 a head and cow and calf units to $1220, while heifers held steady.
Buyers were keen, with plenty of local farmers and landholders seeking stock to put on paddocks with a surplus of pasture.
There were good lines of stock on offer, and poor quality stock sold for higher prices than a few months ago.
Peter and Phyl Sutton, of Buchan South, sent in a line of 41 well-bred 14-months-old Angus steers that sold to $1045, average $918.75.
With average weight of 478kg, the top pen of steers returned 219c/kg, with the first three pens selling at an av 215c/kg.
A fourth pen of 13 head sold at $790, or $1.96/kg; and a fifth pen of 11 Angus steers, younger and lighter, sold for $675.
The couple were very happy with the price, although Mr Sutton also said it was the same price he received 15 years ago.
Their son and daughter-in-law made it a family affair.
Andrew and Julie Sutton, also of Buchan South, sent in Angus steers that sold to $975, av $915.
Manasa and Kerry Koroisamanunu, of Clifton Creek, sent in a pen of 10 grown Angus and black baldy steers, 22-months-old, they had grown out, which received $905.
CW Scott & Co, Hinnomunjie, sold 16 Hereford steers, 16-months-old, for $855.
Among the weaner stock, Barry and Lea Worseldine, of Creighton Grange Angus, were happy with $775 for their pen of 16, 10-month-old steers, weaned seven days previously.
DA Cameron also sold Angus weaner steers - eight for a top of $775, av$740.
A pen of 15 Friesian steers, average 12-months-old, vendor H McKenzie, sold for $602.
Among the heifers, a pen of seven 18-months-to-two-year-old Angus heifers, joined to a Santa Gertrudis bull and sent in by Patchy Mitchell of Ensay Station, achieved $645.
A pen of 11 Charolais grown heifers, from John Lockhart, sold to $610.
DP Daley, who sent in a number of steers and heifers to Friday's market, sold three Charolais heifers for $570.
P Millage of Combienbar sold 13 Angus heifers, for a return of $518 each.
Buyers were eager for cows and calves and there were a large number on offer.
Peter Whitehead of Bengworden, a regular vendor at the store cattle sale at Bairnsdale, sold three pens of Angus cows and calves, returning a top of $1220, av $1127.
K Bryant of Buchan sold Charolais cow and calf units, to $1010, average $910, while Aaron and Donna McCole, Buchan, sold four Angus units that returned $990.
