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Warrnambool's first store market sale, interfaced with StockLive, has been hailed a success, by local agents.
Anthony Mahoney, Brian O'Halloran, said agents yarded 1550 head of cattle, for the first store sale since the coronavirus lockdown.
The March store sale was cancelled, amid concerns about social distancing rules.
Mr Mahoney, the Warrnambool Stock Agents' Association president, said there was good local support, backed by buyers from NSW and Queensland, and feedlots.
The sale recorded 325 live viewers and 41 registered on-line bidders, who bought $225,000 head of stock.
Mr Mahoney said the StockLive feed had opened the sale up to a wider range of bidders.
"Based on our first try-out, we were amazed at how smoothly it went," Mr Mahoney said.
"Compared with the previous sale, I would have to say the feeder steers were a bit cheaper.
"I think a good run of heavier steers sold to expectations."
He said most feeder steers sold for between 365-400cents/kilogram, while grown steers, up to 545kg, went for 345c/kg.
Steers around the 400kg mark sold for between 375-390c/kg.
Below 400kg, they went for between 300-420c/kg.
In the heifer section, females weighing around 400kg sold for 350-365c/kg, while those averaging 300-380kg topped at 405c/kg, selling in a band from 385c/kg.
Open auction heifers sold to $1110, or between 400-440c/kg.
Mr Mahoney said regular feedlot buyers, Australian Food and Agriculture, Conargo, Creek Livestock and Teys Brothers were active, along with local bidders, looking to put stock back into the paddock.
"We've been very lucky with our season and hopefully it will continue, with more rain coming, it should bode well for the season to come."
Jack Kelly, of J&J Kelly said it was good to be back, selling at the yards.
"Probably a few more cattle came in later, as the fat market had gained a bit of momentum, so we were a little bit brighter," Mr Kelly said.
Locals were active on the steers and heifers, having sold bullocks.
"They were keen enough to buy again, alongside the northern orders, the rain has certainly helped a lot of areas up there, which have got feed and producers are looking for stock."
Rockland Partnership sold a pen of 15 Angus steers, 490kg, for $1813, or 370c/kg,
Bullaharre Park sold 14 Angus steers, 401kg, for $1450, or 362c/kg.
S Cox sold a pen of five Angus stteers for $1487, or 380c/kg.
Morrow sold 16 head of steers, 289kg, for $1125, or 402c/kg.
In the heifers, Wentworth Close received $1278, or 404c/kg, for a pen of 20 Angus females, 317kg.
A second pen of 20, 323kg, sold for $1304, or 404c/kg.
Wattle Park sold 19 heifers, 523kg, for $1871, or 358c/kg
PJ and MM Hickey sold 19 Angus heifers, 470kg, for $1574, or 335c/kg.
D&J McGlade sold five Angus heifers, 408kg, for $1366, or 335c/kg.
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