Extra buyers from Gippsland, Ballarat, the northeast and Bendigo lifted Kyneton cattle prices by $150 a head at its monthly store market on Wednesday.
Greg Dwyer, Landmark Dwyer said the rise was in keeping with other markets held since prices began to improve earlier in the month.
“Local buyers also bid with more confidence” Mr Dwyer said. “And, the quality of the 300 head penning (down from the 800 last month) was improved for three processors to compete” he said.
Kieran McGrath, McGrath Rodwells quoted steer prices as $100 to 150 a head higher, cow and calf prices $200-$250 stronger, joined females $150 dearer and heifer sales up to $170 better.
Sales of older steers, depending on breeding and quality, made 220-290c/kg. Heavier weaners, 300kg plus, made 320-370-cents while younger weaners made 350-400c. Among the better steer sales: Tully Angus sold Angus, 345kg at $1240, Peter Gooch sold Hereford steers, 386kg, at $1160 while Michael Salter sold Angus Limousin steers, 415kg, at $1260.
A yard of 10 Charolais steers, 337kg, offered by Craig Pethybridge, Malmsbury made $1150.
In heifer sales Angus heifers sold by the Phillips family made $1090- $1190. These weighed 360-445kg while Tully Angus sold heifers, 293kg, at $1010.
Cows and calves topped at $2500 for 18 Woodlands Angus heifers, with calves to six weeks at foot. These although top outfits were unjoined.