Restockers and feedlots compete for cattle at Bairnsdale

Local agents yarded 1540 cattle and said prices remained mostly firm across the board, however, some eases were reported on lines of older cattle.

Bill Wyndham & Co auctioneer Colin Jones said weaner and yearling-off cattle sold to similar demand and prices compared to recent sales.

"It's hard to say why the older cattle were a bit softer but we had good representation from people in mid and South Gippsland and the feedlotters were pretty strong," Mr Jones said.

"We noticed a small increase in local demand which was pleasing and the overall yarding wasn't too bad, it would have been consistent with previous sales."

A feature of the sale included 350 cattle from Nungatta Station, which is located on the Victorian-NSW border, and was burnt out during the January bushfires.

Selling agent Sharp Fullgrabe director Graeme Fullgrabe said the line, which included 170 heifers and 180 steers, was made up of Angus and Euro cattle which sold to $1730.

"The entire Nungatta property was completely destroyed in January and that included the old homestead and wool shed," Mr Fullgrabe said.

"But credit to the owners, Ben and Jane Campbell, who jumped on the tractor the day after the fire and were able to sub-seed the property and hold their cattle through until now.

"But with winter here they were unable to keep a lot of these cattle on so they decided to capitalise on the store prices and will forward another 240 next fortnight."

Nungatta Station's top pen of 19 steers, 520kg, made $1730 or 332 cents a kilogram.

Its top pen of 16 Angus steers, 428kg, made $1540 or 358 while 19 steers, 410kg, made $1450 or 353c/kg.

Elders Bairnsdale livestock manager Morgan Davies said the quality of the yarding was good considering the seasonal conditions in eastern Victoria.

"It's staying dry here in East Gippsland which isn't ideal and we've had a lot of frost in the last week," Mr Davies said.

"A few of the older cattle were a bit cheaper at the start and that was due to one or two major buyers being absent."

Megfield, Bruthen, sold eight Hereford Friesian cows with small two-week-old calves at foot made $2000.

Youngs Creek, Orbost, sold 14 Charolais steers, 460kg, for $1700 or 369c/kg.

MT Mitchell, Ensay, sold 16 Charolais steers, 260kg, for $1130 or 434c/kg.

Luke Mekkens, Orbost, sold 18 Angus steers, 353kg, for $1350 or 382c/kg.

D and J Reggardo, Lakes Entrance, sold 13 Hereford steers, 521kg, made $1800 or 345c/kg.

M and J Bowen, Toorloo Arm, sold 10 Angus steers, 18-20mo, 514kg, for $1895 or 368c/kg.

L Frew, Meerlieu, sold nine South Devon steers, 18-20mo, 527kg, for $1690 or 320c/kg.

C and J Cooper, Wulgulermang, sold 11 Hereford steers, 319kg, for $1310 for 410c/kg.

Mountain Cattle Co, Beloka, NSW, sold nine Hereford steers, 373kg, for $1310 or 351c/kg.

K and P Whelan, Swan Reach, sold 10 Angus steers, 251kg, for $1130 or 450c/kg.

R and S Reynolds, Buchan South, sold 18 Angus heifers, 9-10mo, 250kg, for $1080 or 432c/kg.

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