Supply did not suffered at Leongatha, as their regular fortnightly store market offered 2031 head, which was larger than the previous sale two weeks ago.
As most of Gippsland remains in drought, and much of South Gippsland has grass, producers from far and wide sent their stock to Leongatha.
The sale included 1200 steers.
Noted on the pen cards were cattle from Bibbenluke and Cathcart, in the Monaro, plenty from the drought-affected areas to the east of Leongatha, and some locals potentially taking advantage of an expected price rise.
Influencing some of the local competition was recent rain, plus the Bureau of Meteorology's prediction of good weekend rain, over a broad area.
Higher prices for all cattle in the previous day's fat market was also a factor in producers' minds.
The decline in supply over all of the eastern seaboard recently, sparked a big lift in prices, some of which was aided by buyers of feeder cattle.
This was very obvious at Leongatha, with processors dropping their weight limits, but also the type and breed of the cattle.
Heavily supported in this venture were crossbred and Friesian steers and heifers.
Brian McCormack, Landmark SGL, said the market was $50-$70 a head dearer.
While dearer, most sales were not over the top, reflecting the restriction of producer demand, mostly to South Gippsland.
One good example of stronger demand was the 24 yearling Angus steers offered by Chris Hempel, Dumbalk.
These steers were in good condition, and weighed from 485-505 kilograms liveweight.
Selling from $1490-$1630, they peaked at 322 cents a kilogram.
A very good run of Hereford steers was offered, with T&L Moreing, Bibbenluke, selling yearling Herefords from $1010-$1360, equaling 287-302c/kg lwt.
However, the best prices, in liveweight price terms, were achieved for some of the younger Angus steers.
M&M Scanlon, Wandong, sold 68 steers, 280-340kg, which sold between $950-$1110, equaling 326-342c/kg lwt.
R&B Alsuh, Ripplebrook, sold the top-priced pen of crossbred steers.
Reared from calves, the eight dairy-cross steers sold for $1400, or 258c/kg lwt.
The purchaser was a bullock fattener who had purchased steers from the same producer last year, and sold them in Wednesday's dearer bullock market.
There was a big range of Friesian steers, and in much larger numbers than previous sales.
P&I Corrigan, Phillip Island, sold 28 Friesian steers from $690-$960, and the heavier steers equaled 194c/kg, and were purchased for grain feeding.
One of the major improvements was seen for the 650 heifers penned, which was an increase in heifers offered as a percentage of the yarding.
Many of these heifers were purchased for grain feeding, and took in younger and older heifers.
Lowanna Properties sent 62 yearling Angus heifers, all the way from Cathcart, on the Monaro.
These weighed between 309-437kg, and sold from $830-$1105.
Having age and stretch, these were suited for grain feeding, and several producers were bidding.
The difference in this market to two weeks ago was the lift in heifer prices.
Most sold between $600-$880, equaling 260-280c/kg lwt.
J&L White, Bairnsdale, sold 20 Angus heifers between $690-$770, but their 25 Charolais/Angus-cross heifers were purchased for grain feeding from $720-$890.
The majority of the cows and calves were mostly sold in small or single lots; prices ranged mostly between $800-$1460.
The top price was paid for 14 Angus cows with calves, offered by D&T Wilson, Boxbank Pastoral, Woodside.