McGauran steers take centre stage at Leongatha

The McGaurans placed their historic Nambrok property, near Rosedale, on the market this year and will sell their remaining cows and calves before the end of 2019.

Nambrok manager Max O'Doherty, whose father, Paddy, started breeding Herefords for the McGaurans in 1973 said it was the end an important chapter in Nambrok's history.

"It's a mixed feeling of emotions for me today," Mr O'Doherty said.

McGauran Pastoral Co sold 125 steers at the store sale, including a top pen of 20 steers, 316 kilograms, for $1130 or 357 cents a kilogram.

Landmark Leongatha livestock auctioneer Brian McCormack, who sold the McGauran cattle, said the remaining cows and a few spring-drop cows and calves would be sold on AuctionsPlus in a week.

About 3000 cattle were yarded for the second last South Gippsland sale of 2019, including 2095 steers and 940 heifers.

Phelan & Henderson & Co auctioneer Simon Henderson said cattle from the Sale district and interstate helped boost competition among restockers and feedlotters.

"The sale was quite strong, it was a sale that's grass-driven because the season here is very good ... we've only had one hot day a fortnight ago and since then it's been cool so we'll be able to get through the festive period without people having to sell," he said.

"The fat cattle have got cheaper because the abattoirs have plenty of cattle but the store sale isn't a fair indication of what the fat market is doing because the store sale is much stronger.

"A lot of steers here today were carrying a bit of condition, they've put on weight, and with the market being strong there's nothing really you could buy under $850 and that's really the entry level for steers."

SEJ Leongatha auctioneer James Kyle, who sold a top pen of Alexander Vale steers from Candelo, NSW, said 40-50 millimetres of rain in the last week helped improve confidence among producers.

"We've had better lines of cattle and we had a couple of loads from Bega, some black steers and heifers, and we had steers making $3.20 to $3.80," he said.

"We had one pen of black steers make 383 cents a kilo out of Bega, they were dry and the Alexander Vale and that's what everyone in South Gippsland wants to buy; steers with a bit of age and a bit of frame."

Elders Korumburra and Leongatha branch manager Rohan McRae said the region needed some sunshine following a wet start to summer.

"We're into December and it's been cold and wet and now we're looking for a bit of sunshine after a really good season," he said.

"We had our lighter Angus steers from Sibly's annual draft at Archies Creek which got out to $3.60-$3.70 which was really good.

"Heifers touched on $3 a kilo for good black ones with 350-odd kilos on them and we saw that demand on heifers continue today."

M and G Kavangh, Ryanston, sold five steers, 447kg, for $1360 or 304c/kg.

I and C Haw, Bena, sold two steers, 469kg, for $1450 or 292c/kg.

P Milnes, Wonthaggi, sold six steers, 418kg, for $1080 or 258c/kg.

Alexander Vale, Candelo, NSW, sold 17 steers, 294kg, for $1120 or 380c/kg.

Von Pace Pastoral, Giffard, sold eight steers, 411kg for $1280 or 311c/kg.

B Moffit, Bega, sold 16 steers, 263kg, for $990 or 326c/kg.

In the heifers, R Grant, Bega, sold 14, 284kg, for $850 or 299c/kg.

RJ Stewart and A Tier, Bombala, NSW, sold eight heifers for $640.

R and Y Densley, Mirboo, sold 14 heifers, 301kg, for $860 or 285c/kg.

AM & PE Laidlaw, Tanjil South, sold 25 heifers, 284kg, for $790 or 278c/kg.