About 800 head were yarded at Wangaratta store sale on Friday, which was about 200 more than advertised. Peter Dargan, Rodwells, said that increase was largely weather-driven, with the hot weather tightening the season.
Competition from north-east Victorian restockers and a few feedlots drove strong prices – in line with those achieved at other sale centres.
The 470 steers topped at $1305 a head, for a pen of 10 steers, 422kg, from Ian Fithall. Close behind was two Mount Cleves P/C steers, 438kg, that made $1300; Nyora Park’s eight Angus steers, 410kg, made $1275 and Sampson & Eagle’s nine Hereford steers, 12mo, Willowood blood, 416kg, made $1270.
Steers averaged $937. Mr Dargan said light steers, 220-230kg, sold for prices equivalent to 380c/kg; steers 350-400kg made 310-320c/kg and steers over 400kg made 305-310c/kg.
The 282 heifers sold to $1200, for a single heifer, 370kg, consigned by the Blackshaw family. A handful of heifer pens made over $1000; including Nyora Park’s nine Angus heifers, 362kg, at $1090.
K&B Simmonds sold 10 Angus heifers, 10-12mo, Welcome Swallow blood, 362kg, for $1080.
N Pooley had 11 steers, 350kg, that made $1170 and 13 heifers, 360kg, that made $1085.
The 38 cow and calf units av $1539. The category topped at $1840 for Del Rae Investments’ 10 Angus Heifers, 2yo, each with a Angus calf, 2mo.
Mr Dargan said heifers made 290-305c/kg depending on weight and quality.
