Fire-affected breeders were rewarded with strong prices at Bairnsdale's annual calf sale on Tuesday as crowds were noticeably lower due to coronavirus fears.
About 3500 cattle attracted buyers from interstate as far as Dubbo and Nyngan, NSW and from Tasmania as local restockers sought to replenish stocks across eastern Victoria.
Light steers under 260 kilograms sold between 500-550 cents a kilogram while mid-weight steer calves ranged between 420-460c/kg on average.
Female cattle also attracted jumps in price, selling to 452c/kg, ranging mainly from 350-410c/kg.
Nutrien Ag Solutions East Gippsland livestock manager Brad Obst, who sold the first line of cattle, said it was pleasing to see breeders rewarded after a challenging four months.
"The presentation of the stock was second to none and the vendors and breeders have done an enormous effort getting these cattle through a very tough season and the bushfires of late," Mr Obst said.
"What's very pleasing to see is that the cattle have attracted a range of buyers from the north through to South Gippsland so the competition was reflective of the industry at this time.
"We had buyers from Tasmania and King Island, South Gippsland was very strong, AJF Coonamble bought cattle as well as a lot of local restockers which was good to see."
Frank and Dawn Boulton, Wulgulmerang, and Mack and Robin Stagg, Tambo Crossing, featured in the first line of the sale after both couples both lost a significant amount of pasture and fencing in the recent fires.
The Boulton's top pen of steers, 355kg, made $1300 or 366c/kg while The Stagg's top pen of steers, 337kg, made $1360 or 403c/kg.
The Stagg's top pen in price per kilogram made 550c/kg for a pen of 22 steers at 241kg.
It followed the cancellation of the Gelantipy calf sale last month, forcing producers to truck their cattle to Bairnsdale instead.
"It's good to see them rewarded because it takes a lot to not just throw your hands in the air but they stuck with their normal program and got very much rewarded," Mr Obst said.
Kevin and Helen Maher, Meerlieu, topped the market in price per head for a pen of 25 steers, 410kg, which made $1610 or 392c/kg.
Their second pen of 25 steers, 351kg, made $1490 or 424c/kg.
Sharp Fullgrabe & Co director Graeme Fullgrabe said the sale was strong, but it lacked the "sting" of the Mountain Calf Sales two weeks ago.
He said store market prices would be indicative of the prime sale markets in the coming weeks as the industry comes to terms with coronavirus, flagging a potential shortfall in store cattle.
"We will struggle for numbers from now on but we've had our big licks of mountain sales and local sales," Mr Fullgrabe said.
"If the fat job stays where it is, it won't be a worry but if that drops drastically there will be a lot of red-faced people."
Gordon Moon, Wulgulmerang, sold 95 Herefords including a top pen of 27 steers, 281kg, for $1370 or 487c/kg.
Two pens of Baybrook Pastoral steers attracted strong interest, including the first pen of 23, 258kg, which made $1160 or 449c/kg followed by a second pen of 15, 234kg, for $1170 or 500c/kg.
Elders Bairnsdale livestock manager Morgan Davies said the sale started slow but picked up momentum as the market progressed.
"There was a fair bit of pressure overhanging all this coronavirus stuff but in the end people just wanted to get back to a bit of normality for two or three hours," Mr Davies said.
"Feedlots are starting to get to the end of March and in 60-100 days when they've got to come off ... we don't know where we'll be in the current financial climate so everyone is playing it a bit safe at the moment."
Sandy Family Investment sold 29 steers, 372kg, for $1560 or 419c/kg.
D Hutchinson sold 13 Hereford steers, 313kg, for $1320 or 423c/kg.
S and S Lineham sold 24 steers, 386kg, for $1505 or 389c/kg.
Tim Woodgate, Buchan, sold 220 Hereford calves including 28 steers, 334kg, for $1380 or 413c/kg.
Omeo Pastoral Company Pty Ltd sold 15 steers, 376kg, for $1490 or 396c/kg.
Chris and Janice Cooper, Wulgulmerang, sold 25 steers, 326kg, for $1460 or 447c/kg.
David Hurley, Dargo, sold 100 Angus calves including 25 steers, 288kg, for $1260 or 437c/kg.
Holstons Pastoral Co sold 29 steers, 334kg, for $1400 or 419c/kg.
Canturf Pastoral sold 33 steers, 268kg, for $1290 or 486c/kg.
In the heifers, S and C Lineham sold 11 Euro heifers, 302kg, for $1300 or 403c/kg.
Mack and Robin Stagg, Tambo Crossing, sold 24 heifers, 250kg, for $1070 or 428c/kg.
Cameron and Crisp sold 15 heifers, 330kg, for $1190 or 360c/kg.
Gordon Moon, Wulgulmerang, sold 24 Hereford heifers, 219kg, for $990 or 452c/kg.
Buchan Black Creek sold 20 heifers, 308kg, for $1210 or 392c/kg.
P and K Geehman sold 12 Hereford heifers, 320kg, for $1250 or 390c/kg.
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