Cattle prices rose at Pakenham as rain forecast for parts of Victoria boosted confidence at today's store sale.
About 2300 cattle were yarded at the fortnightly market as prices on smaller, lighter-weight cattle increased due to demand.
Agents said prices for heifers and steers jumped between $50 and $100 as feedlot competition strengthened in front of a large crowd.
Alex Scott & Staff Pakenham livestock manager David Setches said the sale had more "spirited bidding competition" compared to earlier in the month.
"There was a feedlot that was back here in the field that wasn't here the last fortnight which made a big impact on the 400-to-450-kilo-plus steers," he said.
"Prices were considerably better than a fortnight ago particularly on those lighter-weight steers which we haven't seen a lot come through the sale."
Ten pens of Camoola cattle from Beveridge fetched top dollar, including for a group of 12 Angus steers, 270 kilograms which sold for $950 or 351 cents a kilogram.
"The great line up of Camoola cattle here which sold very well, they averaged $3.48 a kilogram over the heifers and steers," Mr Setches said.
"Heifers took a big lift too I thought especially those lighter-weight heifers, those Camoola heifers, sold for more than $3 a kilo and weighed between 230 to 280 kilos."
Lighter calves which weighed between 240 and 270kg fetched between 340 and 360c/kg, up 30 to 40 cents on the earlier October sale.
Landmark Pakenham livestock manager Andy Grant said he noticed more bidders at the sale.
He sold 220 mixed sex weaner Angus calves from Covino Farms Pty Ltd at Longford.
"They were an even run and all showed great cover and breeding," he said.
"The family need to be congratulated on their condition because they tell me it's dry up there and that's why they came in a little bit earlier than what was ideally liked but they did the right thing because the cattle still looked good."
Covino Farms sold a pen of 23 Angus steers, 297kg for $1090 or 367c/kg.
Nathan Gibbon Livestock Pakenham agent Matthew Wilson said predicted rainfall over the state in the next week boosted confidence among bidders.
"Heifers sold quite well, there was a lift there, but there was a lift right across the market today and that's due to the predicted rainfall expected up north," he said.
Elders Korumburra livestock agent Michael Foote estimated the sale was more than $50 dearer on the previous fortnight.
"I reckon that's to do with the talk of rain and live exporters have put a floor on the smaller steers so that's pushed prices up slightly too," he said.
Abbots Pastoral, Alexandra, sold a pen of 14 steers, 623kg for $1880 or 301c/kg.
P Fanning, Bulla, sold 18 steers, 589kg for $1910 or 324c/kg.
W A Cleeland, Phillip Island, sold 20 steers, 312kg for $1115 or 357c/kg.
L H Boadle & Sons, Ballarat, sold nine steers, 527kg for $1240 or 235c/kg.
In the heifers, R Stivey, Tynong North, sold 13 heifers, 267kg for $690 or 258c/kg.
H Adams, Yarra Glen, sold 14 heifers, 421kg for $1240 or 294c/kg.
Kactus Point Charolais, Lake Charm, sold 14 heifers, 400kg for $1140 or 285c/kg.