Prices eased at the Warrnambool September store cattle sale on Friday with the influx of cattle on to markets in drier northern areas reducing local demand.
Warrnambool Stock Agents Association president Glenn Judd said heavy steers about 480 kilograms averaged about 285c/kg while lighter steers averaged around $3.30c/kg.
Heavier heifers made from $2.60-$2.70c/kg while lighter ones made up to $2.80c/kg.
About 870 cattle were yarded, about 300 less than for the same time last year.
Mr Judd said he expected prices to rise again in the near future when the supply of cattle from drier northern areas eased.
Open auction steers sold from $750 to a top of $1010 and open auction heifers between $680-$820.00
Cross-bred steers sold between $710-$952, Friesian steers $520-$840.00 and small Friesians from $320-$590.
Among the vendors getting the top prices was Greg Stephens of Geraki Pastoral at Framlingham who got 309c/kilogram for 24 15-month-old Angus steers, averaging 408kgs.
Mr Stephens said he had brought some of the steers down from Finley in the Riverina where he also had property.
Finley was suffering from below average rainfall and the steers had grown out well at Framlingham, which had a wet winter.
Mr Stephens said the 309c/kg he received was about $250 a head below the price he got for cattle in much the same condition about four months ago but he was not complaining.
Another vendor was Jim Madden of Tower Hill who got 275c/kg for 62 Angus heifers averaging 370c/kg.
Mr Madden said prices for cattle averaging about 400kgs had dropped by about 50c/kg in recent months but he expected bullock prices to stabilise at about 270-275c/kg.
Joyce McKenzie of Terang was among those who sold at the time of higher prices and was now restocking with prices easing.
She bought a pen of 8-10 month old Hereford steers for $450 each, saying that was a “reasonable” price.
Sale prices included: Steers – M. D. Wright, 14 Angus, 487kgs, $2.85/kg, $1387; Evoc, 12 Charolais, 366kgs, $3.06/kg, $1119; Geraki Pastoral, 24 Angus, 408kg, $3.09/kg, $1260; Ware Pastoral, 25 Blonde/Red Angus composite steers, 345kgs, $3.16/kg, $1090; Dirriwang, 11 Angus, 392kgs, $2.92/kg, $1145.
Heifers – Elandery Lodge, 19 Angus, 364kgs, $2.75/kg, $1001; Elandery Lodge, 11 Angus & Black Baldy, 388kgs, $2.75/kg, $1067.
Cows & calves – S & B Green, 10 Angus cows with 10 Angus Calves rejoined, $2700; S & B Green, 9 Angus/Friesian cows with 9 calves at foot, $2500.
