Pakenham store cattle market draws lighter weights

"There are many more lighter weaners coming through now because the heavy cattle favoured by the feedlots are selling out," Mr Setches said.

Even so, prices continued to rise as numbers continued to fall.

About 280 export and 60 young cattle were yarded, a total of 430 fewer than at the previous market.

The feature line of 120 steers from Peter Evans, Bass, weighing 260-280 kilograms and aged 9-10 months, averaged $1047 a head.

"We thought that, given the very wet conditions in West and South Gippsland, it might have been a bit of a struggle getting buyers to the market but plenty arrived with cheque books in their back pockets," Mr Setches said.

"The best of the lighter steers made 450 cents a kilogram with one 220kg pen making $1000 but there were plenty in the range of 360 to 400c/kg."

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) reported that the limited young cattle suited to the trade improved 10c/kg, while prices for manufacturing steers were firm and yearling steers sold from 295-340c/kg.

The few pens of grown steers and bullocks rose 5-10c/kg.

Orvale Pastoral sold one pen of 11, 470kg, Hereford steers for $1510 or 321c/kg, while its second 527kg pen of five made $1480 or 281c/kg.

Ten 464kg Angus steers from A. Chatfield Services were $1340 or 289c/kg.

Five 385kg Angus steers by A & F Vugs made $1220 or 317c/kg and their 351kg sisters were $1020 or 291c/kg.

Mr Setches said when it came to heifers, both supply and demand were patchy.

"There weren't many over 300kg," he said.

"There was the isolated sale for 300c/kg but lots were in the range of 240-265c/kg."

WC & TL Warren sold 395kg Charolais heifers for $1140 or 289c/kg and a 335kg pen for $1030 or 307c/kg.

MLA reported light and medium weight cows sold from 170-266c/kg.

Heavy weight cows were mostly 238-310c/kg and heavy bulls sold from 281-339c/kg.