Although numbers were short demand proved exceptionally keen for store cattle at Colac on Friday.
Local buyers contested the small 500 head market, and with recent rains and the promise of more lifting hopes of an autumn break, prices climbed sharply by 30-50c/kg on the centre’s month earlier market.
Colac agent Phil Douglas said the recent in lift in slaughter prices had also sparked a keener interest on the back of the improved local season.
“There were not a lot of cattle penned but what was here was of good quality” he added.
Commencing the sale a pen of five Angus steers, 466kg, made $1570 a head. These were offered by G Cropley and sold to local opportunity feeder, Mick Buttigeig trading as Beechwood while Elders Camperdown paid $1480 for a yard of five Hereford steers, 430kg, offered by Tynimille.
Most yards of better grown steers, aged 12-15 months and weighing upwards of 360kg made $1360-$1470 a head, average 362c/kg while lighter steers made $1180-$1320 and averaged 395c/kg.
The Lockock family, Darlington sold 50 of their Ennerdale Hereford steers, 352kg to $1370, average $1215 a head.
Heifers were mostly sold in the 350-370c/kg price range. Better sale included D Coolahan – 13 Angus-Limousin heifers, 353kg sold at $1240 a head while Seaview sold Angus-Limousin heifers, 363kg at $1370.