Amid heavy rain and cold winds, a large crowd attended the fortnightly Leongatha store cattle sale last Thursday.
Many were there to investigate market trends, leading up to annual spring sales, and some were there because it was too wet to do much else.
Agents offered 1290 head, which was 300 more than the previous sale two weeks ago.
However, the extra supply was due to three larger lines, two of which were due to their properties having been sold or their lease lost.
A mixture of breeding was offered, and a good selection of younger and older yearling steers were included in the yarding. Only a small penning of heifers was seen.
The top price of $1590 did not reflect the quality of the steers sold.
Lorstan Nominees, Bengworden, sold 52 Hereford steers weighing up to 571 kilograms liveweight, as the season in East Gippsland is quite dry. Selling from $1270-$1590,they equaled 271-292 cents per kg lwt.
A large percentage of the yearling steers, those weighing more than 400kg, sold to feedlots at Charlton, the Western District and north of Melbourne.
I&C Montgomery, Inverloch, whose property has been sold, offered 63 Angus steers. These also sold mostly to feedlots from $1270-$1510.
Selling at the upper end of the yearling steers was Shellcot Partnership.
Their 20 Angus steers, 425kg, made $1340.
There was extra competition for steers around this weight from HF Richardson, Geelong, who competed strongly for their preferred steers.
One other large line of yearling steers came from Brentcorp P/L, Tyers, lease expired.
Their 104 steers sold from $1150-$1380.
Medjugorie Past Co sold 56 yearling Charolais steers from $1070-$1400, and Dixon & Barlow farms, Alberton West, sold 19 Angus steers from $1110-$1370.
Younger and lighter steers sold to more competition, with most selling between $910-$1110.
A large percentage of the yearling steers, those weighing more than 400kg, sold to feedlots at Charlton, the Western District and north of Melbourne.
D&B Kalliday, Gelliondale, sold 40 Angus steers, 265-363kg, from $860-$1110.
Barry Williams offered 44 Good quality crossbred steers, making from $710-$840.
After a very tough season, T&C Hulls, Leongatha South, sold 98 young Angus steers from $615-$860.
A few pens of Friesian steers were sold, ranging from good quality, older steers, down to calves.
Better quality older steers sold from $780-$1180, and younger steers from $350-$690.
Heifers sold to a top of $1090 for 11 yearling, Limousin cross heifers, sold by G Cummaudo, Mirboo North.
Quality Angus heifers, of D&B Kalladay sold to $1035, and a pen of French Normande yearling heifers, unjoined, from G&J Allott, Toora, made $1010.
The largest consignment came from T&C Hulls. Their 140 young Angus heifers sold from $595-$785.
Cows and calves sold from $1260-$1450, and G&J Allott sold 39 crossbred heifers with the opportunity to an Angus bull, from $1140-$1270.
Account Comeragh, Wooreen, sold 16 Angus heifers, 405kgs, PTIC to Angus, for September calving for $1000.
