Prices jumped at Leongatha in a good quality yarding of 1600 cattle last Thursday.
The yarding comprised 1080 steers, 320 heifers, 160 cows with calves at foot and 40 springers from mainly local areas as well as Traralgon and Yarram and East Gippsland.
Recent falls of rain meant there were fewer cattle consigned from Bega and Bombala regions of NSW.
Landmark Leongatha principal, Terry Ginnane, said that while East Gippsland and areas east of Yarram were dry, South and West Gippsland were having a good spring.
“The more rain we have in October and November will make the season,” Mr Ginnane said.
He quoted heavy Angus steers above 600 kilograms selling at 290 cents a kilogram, 500-600kg selling from 285-295c/kg and 400-500kg steers from 290-315c/kg.
Good weaner steers weighing above 300kg sold from 300-320ckg and lighter calves from 280-320c/kg.
He said Hereford cattle were 10-15c/kg off those values while crossbred steers sold between 200-250c/kg and Friesian cross steers between 160-190c/kg.
Mr Ginnane said heifers were slightly dearer than the previous sale, selling between 230-260c/kg.
He said local buyers were the mainstay of the market, with cattle going into the paddock for heavy weights.
James Kyle, SEJ, Leongatha, said South Gippsland “needed another drink” but there was pasture growth in the region.
Mr Kyle said most of the stored fodder had been used up and some producers were locking paddocks up to make silage and hay to replenish stocks, rather than buying cattle.
Feature lines included a consignment of two year-old Angus steers from Baillie Brothers, Tyers. The cattle sold to a top of $1800 and between 267-287c/kg to local buyers.
N&B Wynne, sold eight two year-old steers, 604kg, for $1660 or 274c/kg, while P Chisholm forwarded 11 Angus steers, 433kg, that sold for $1400 or 316c/kg.
Eight Angus steers sold account C Farr, 18 months-old, weighing 464kg, for $1340 or 289c/kg. The same vendor also offered 12 Angus steers, 12 months and weighing 336kg, for 280c/kg or $940.
RM Agostino, Traralgon, sold nine Angus steers, 15-16 months, 493kg, for $1350 or 273c/kg to Motton Livestock.
A Conisbee sold a line of 15 month-old steers including 17 Angus steers, 344kg, for $1110 or 322c/kg, and another 17 weighing 328kg, for $1090 or 332c/kg.
Of the weaner steers, a pen of 18 Angus sold account Netherwood Pastoral, weighing 384kg, for 313c/kg or $1200.
Of the Hereford steers, D McAinch, Yanakie, sold 17 steers weighing 345kg, to Julie K Livestock for $950 or 275c/kg.
Pilkington and Touhey, Sandy Point, forwarded a quality line of 68 steers weighing 270-298kg that averaged $880 or 305c/kg.
RM Jennings, Gormandale, offered Angus and Charolais cross steers that sold for $690 to E&K Dowling.
I&R Hengstberger sold a line of 12 month-old Angus steers that weighed 334kg and sold at 296c/kg or $990, while Westley Investments sold six Angus steers, 349kg, for $950 or 272c/kg.
Of the Friesian steers, R Stampfli forwarded 14 two year-olds, 428kg, that sold for 193c/kg or $830.
In the heifers, M&K Smith sold five Angus, 20 months, for $1140 or 231c/kg.
Westley Investments offered six Angus heifers, 336kg, that sold at 259c/kg or $870, and Golden Gully Farm offered 14 Angus cross heifers, 14 months, that sold for 211c/kg or $690.
Of the cows and calves, M Mann sold 10 Hereford cows with calves at foot for $1170, while Lortan Nominees sold 22 Herefords with calves at foot for $1150.
