Rain in Gippsland saw the Leongatha store market firm, with a smaller yarding also pushing up prices.
Agents yarded around 1700 head, with good lines out of the Yarram area.
Simon Henderson, Phelan and Henderson, said the market was $50-100 better than a fortnight ago.
“It was a good, solid sale, and we had a good day,” Mr Henderson said.
“There had been a little bit of rain in the area, over the weekend, and that probably helped a little bit.”
He said Graham Osborne and Ross McRoberts bought some of the Angus and Black Baldy calves offered by P, N and D Moore, Yarram.
“They’ve bought Moore calves before and returned to buy again,” Mr Henderson said.
“You know the cattle are doing the job when people come back and buy them, year after year.”
The Moores sold 95 steer weaners, averaging 350kg, and received $1020, or 290cents/kilogram.
“They were an outstanding run of calves,” Mr Henderson said.
The first pen sold for “a touch” over 300c/kg.
McPhails bigger steers also did well and were bought by Leongatha fatteners.
Peter MacPhail, Tarraville, offered 26 rising two-year-old Angus steers, averaging 455kg, bred in East Gippsland, selling them for 285c/kg, or $1297.
Other sales of note were Katelea Pastoral, Glen Alvie, which sold 26 Angus heifers, May 2018 drop, averaging 304kg for 266c/kg or $810.
Jamie Calvert, Bairnsdale, sold 11 Red Angus/Gelbveigh cross steers, July ‘18 drop, averaging 278kg for $850, or 306c/kg.
He also sold 13 heifers, averaging 251kg for $620, or 247c/kg.
Trev Vening, Fish Creek, offered 10 Simmental/Red Angus cross steers, averaging 379kg, for $1080 or 2.85c/kg.
D&K Belcher, Woodside, sold 30 weaner Hereford steers, averaging 261kg, for $752, or 288c/kg.
Landmark’s Brian McCormack said the whole market was dearer, in parts, by up by $50-60 a head.
“There were fewer numbers, for a start, with a little bit of rain in the area and a couple of extra feedlotters as well,” Mr McCormack said.
“There was about 800-900 head out of Yarram, and the breeding and type were very, very good.
“They tell me Ballarat was very strong, with feeder competition, so maybe the market is on the move a little bit.”
Alex Scott and Staff’s Rob Ould agreed the market was stronger.
“There was a very good run of cattle there, I reckon it would have been $50-80 dearer, not so much the heifers, but certainly the steers were well sought after,” Mr Ould said.
“I think people have decided to trade again, the season is what it is, and people are feeling cattle prices are getting a little bit dearer.”
He said feedlotters and locals were prominent.
“Oakdale Meat was there, securing cattle to feed,” Mr Ould said.