South Gippsland restockers were prominent at Leongatha's store sale today where prices jumped across the board on both steers and heifers.
Consistent rain during the sale did not deter buyers from attending the market as some agents predicted the sale as having one of the largest crowds in recent months.
Feedlotters were present but had less impact on the sale as strong rain across South Gippsland boosted confidence among producers.
Alex Scott & Staff livestock auctioneer Dane Perczyk said the sale was stronger compared to last month.
"It could have been in the bracket of 10 to 20 cents dearer a kilo and $100 to $150 a head dearer with both steers and heifers," he said.
"The fat job was dearer yesterday, we've had two weeks of rain and about two inches, and it's raining again today."
Well-bred Angus steers on average made between 320 to 340 cents a kilogram, while heifers made up to $3.
Paul Calafiore, Mirboo North, sold the top pen of 14 Angus steers, 317 kilograms for $1180 or 372c/kg.
"The fat job is picking up each week and the rain here has helped and we're probably the only area that is getting that consistent rain," Mr Perczyk said.
"This rain has set out season up to go into the next year now so these prices should hang around for a while."
Phelan & Henderson & Co principal David Phelan said prices remained firm, but recent rain had given producers more confidence to buy in cattle.
"We only had a hat full of cattle and they were pretty ordinary but there was a lot of good breeders' cattle here today and I thought that they sold very well," he said.
"The better cattle were a whisker better than they were a fortnight ago, maybe 10 cents better, but the secondary cattle were definitely better in price today."
Several pens of NSW cattle were presented for sale, however, the numbers of interstate cattle were down on previous sales.
A pen of 19 steers owned by LA, MC and BE Weston, Bombala, weighed 378kg and sold for $1360 or 351c/kg.
Elders Korumburra and Leongatha branch manager Rohan McRae said the 2200-strong yarding sold well.
"We were happy with the result," he said.
"They were right up to expectations and probably a little bit better."
"The season is really starting to fulfill itself and the next problem these South Gippsland guys will have is controlling the grass ... it's two different worlds in some places but on the coast and in deep South Gippsland all we need is a bit of heat and moisture and we're going to get both."
H Goldsmith, Dumbalk North, sold 12 steers, 534kg for $1780 or 333c/kg.
Lorston Nominees, Bengworden, sold seven steers, 364kg for $1040 or 285c/kg.
DJ and KM Kuch, Darriman, sold 20 steers, 441kg for $1600 or 362c/kg.
Latrobe Park Angus, Morwell, sold 15 steers, 374kg for $1220 or 326c/kg.
RJ Taylor, Walkerville, sold 15 steers, 341kg for $1080 or 316c/kg.
In the heifers, Richards and Rae, Ryanston, sold eight for $720.
JW Hobson and LH Jones sold six heifers, 336kg for $960 or 285c/kg.
Churchill and Sly, Kilcunda, sold eight heifers for $720.