Wangaratta weaner heifers sell to $1965

Agents yarded 2800 grown and weaner heifers, two days after yarding 3650 steers during Wangaratta Livestock Exchange's feature February sales.

More than 10,000 cattle has passed through the facility since January 1.

Nutrien Wangaratta livestock manager Daniel Fischer said the heifer sale was dominated by farmers looking to secure suitable stock for breeding.

"Breeders were quite happy to pay anywhere before $1700 and $1900 and I don't think I've seen a sale recently where there has been that much interest in female cattle," Mr Fischer said.

Agents said the better end of the heifer portion sold from 470c/kg to 530c/kg with isolated sales up to 550c/kg in places.

AJ and JE Simpson, Docker, sold the dearest pen of 20 Angus weaner heifers, 364kg, 10 to 11 months, for $1965 or 539c/kg.

Bowran Pastoral, Tallangatta South, sold 115 Angus and Angus-cross heifers to $1800, 392kg, or 460c/kg.

N & M Buchan, Benalla, sold 17 Charolais-cross heifers, 387kg, for $1780 or 459c/kg.

Elders Wangaratta livestock manager Oliver Mason said in several cases the heifers made more than their brothers earlier in the week.

"We've spoken about heifers getting dearer for sometime now and making more than the steers and now it's starting to come to fruition," Mr Mason said.

"There is so much demand in the livestock game and people are trying to rebuild herds.

"We had 150 mils of rain in the lead up to the sale so there seems to be another potential of a big autumn break and we're getting towards the end of the calf-selling season so that's putting pressure on supply."

In the lighter section, E Wortman, Glenrowan, sold 17 Angus heifers, 312kg, for $1650 or 528c/kg.

JJ Nolan sold 23 Angus heifers, 310kg, $1700 or 550c/kg.

Danetree Herefords, Wooragee, sold 20 Hereford heifers, 300kg, for $1610 536c/kg.

L & M Currie, Moyhu, sold 16 Limousin-cross heifers, 287kg, for $1540 or 536c/kg.

Corcoran Parker director Justin Keane, Wangaratta, said the sale offered between 500 and 600 grown heifers.

"It was interesting that many of the heifers bought were going to be joined as opposed to the last three years when heifers were taken on to be fattened," Mr Keane said.

"Feeder competition was solid on the better end and on those particular pens of cattle that people could see a future in to join, they were certainly a feature among breeders."

Euro heifers were popular among northern orders, agents said, with several loads headed to NSW and Qld for feedlots and fattening operations.

KT & GR Vincent, Byawatha, sold 17 Angus heifers, 370kg, for $1750 or 472c/kg.

Calview Pastoral, Laceby, sold 24 Angus heifers, 356kg, for $1680 or 471c/kg.

G & K Tanner, Greta, sold 19 Angus heifers, 351kg, for $1715 or 488c/kg.

Redcourt Pastoral, Boorhaman, sold 33 Angus heifers, 343kg, for $1750 or 510c/kg.

A Dinning, Greta, sold 42 Angus heifers, 330kg, for $1625 or 492c/kg.

MD & LM Evans, Whitfield, sold 22 Angus and Black Baldy heifers, 318kg, for $1570 or 493c/kg.

Russell Warner, Tarrawingee, sold 24 Angus heifers, 339kg, for $1715 or 505c/kg.