A string of frosts has cooled the confidence of local farmers, impacting prices at Bairnsdale's store cattle market.
Total numbers were similar to last fortnight's, with around 675 head penned.
Bill Wyndham & Co livestock agent Colin Jones said seasonal conditions had again affected prices.
"Local farmers who had been coming back into the market as buyers were deterred by the run of frosts, which has set pasture growth back," Mr Jones said.
"All the normal feedlot buyers were present but there was not as much competition from them because there were fewer cattle suitable for feedlots.
"The general consensus though, was that the heavier cattle did well.
"On the other hand, the lighter, smaller lines were about $50 cheaper than at the last market.
"There weren't a lot of good heifers there and next to no - just five - cows with calves at foot."
Meat & Livestock Australia's Brendan Fletcher said the average weaner steer price was $685 a head or 282 cents a kilogram.
GJ Crisp of Omeo sold seven 14-month-old Hereford steers weighing 464kg for $1290 or 278c/kg.
The highest-priced weaner steers made $1090 a head for two pens of Euro steers, totalling 18 head weighed at 368kg and 367kg, which equates to 296 and 297c/kg respectively.
The average yearling steer price was $940 or 257c/kg and the best price was $1470 or 288c/kg for Hereford steers weighing 510kg.
Among the older steers was a pen of 10 two-and-a-half-year-old 535kg Herefords from G. George of Granite Rock, which fetched $1400 or 262c/kg.
A pen of eight steers the same age weighing 512kg from the Bimbimbie Partnership of Wulgulmerang brought $1310 or 256c/kg.
G & L Klientz of Orbost made $1470 or 288c/kg with 12 Hereford steers weighing 510kg.
Charolais steers weighing 350kg from M & T Clark of Ellaswood returned $1090 or 311c/kg, while their 325kg sisters made $890 or 325c/kg.
The top of the weaner heifers were 11 Charolais heifers estimated to weigh 325kg, which sold for $890 or 274c/kg.
The average weaner heifer price was $554 or 278c/kg.
The top of the yearling heifers made $650/head for 18 Angus heifers estimated to weigh 240kg or 271c/kg.
The average yearling heifer price was $543 or 234c/kg.
A handful of feeder heifers reached a top of $920, Mr Fletcher said.
A couple of pens of cows with calves at foot both made $1180.
Mr Jones said there were plenty of opportunities for savvy buyers but expects the market will rise closer to spring.
Marian Macdonald
Writing for farmers in the Stock & Land, The Land, Queensland Country Life, Stock Journal and FarmWeekly, farming in Gippsland.
Writing for farmers in the Stock & Land, The Land, Queensland Country Life, Stock Journal and FarmWeekly, farming in Gippsland.
