Sale agents combined to offer 911 cattle for their regular store cattle sale last Friday.
However, except for one large draft of steers and heifers, the balance of the yarding was very mixed, with breeding, quality and weight compromised throughout the market.
Seasonal conditions in this part of Gippsland have been very poor for over 12 months, and many of the producers have already sold their 2017 spring-drop calves.
This has left numerous producers now selling their remaining calves, or second or third drafts of cattle.
Many of the cattle were in plain to poor condition.
A very large crowd attended, although most were only looking and this left a smaller field of buyers who showed less enthusiasm for cattle.
The estate of AA and FE Birss offered a pen of two year-old Hereford steers, which sold for $1540 a head, equaling 282 cents a kilogram liveweight. This was a firm sale compared to three weeks ago.
Geoff and Elizabeth Bates offered the one feature line of Angus steers and heifers.
Rain has eluded their Maidavale property for many months, and they would not normally sell these cattle this early.
Selling 128 well-bred Angus steers in a sale of 911 head, that was very mixed and plain, should have aided a solid result.
While they did sell to feedlot and producer competition, prices could have been higher.
The lightest pen weighed 293 kilograms liveweight with all others weighing from 311-364kg.
Selling in a tight price range saw them make from $905-$1020, equaling 280-318c/kg lwt.
The Bates’ also sold 74 heifers from $680-$790, or 258-272c/kg, which was the peak of the heifer sale.
A few other older steers sold between $1080-$1210, most other weaned steers sold from $620-$900.
Some single pen sales of Angus and Hereford steers steers made over $900.
B Frawley sold 15 Angus steers, Pinora blood, for $990, or 305c/kg, and J&J Jackson sol 17 Hereford steers for $940.
Coming from Cann River, and obviously falling on hard times was Hereford steers and heifers of N Ashlin. Their 18 steers were very plain and light, and sold for $300 and $310.
Their 68 heifers sold from $180-$320 and some of these were two years-old. Most other heifers sold between $320-$640.
Condon and Lee sold 21 heifers from $410-$560.
A small selection of crossbred steers and heifers were offered, which generally sold poorly. Steers sold from $320-$605 with two older steers to $910.
Cows and calves generally sold at recent price levels, which are only just okay.
M Watts sold three South Devon cross cows with calves six months at foot. These were in good condition and sold for $1580.
Good quality Angus heifers with new calves, offered by IG and HJ Baker, sold for $1280.
Holleywoods Pastoral Co sold 20 Angus cows in plain condition with 21 calves for $955.