Prices were firm across all types of cattle at the Leongatha store sale today, which saw agents yard about 4770 head.
SEJ auctioneer James Kyle said prices on the heavier cattle were slightly better than expected.
Tyson Angus Pty Ltd, Meeniyan, kicked off the bidding with a pen of 16 steers, 595kg, which made $2630 a head or 442 cents a kilogram.
R & E Newnham sold 11, 648kg, for $2820 or 435c/kg.
N Page, Sale, sold a pen of 20, 554kg, for $2570 or 463c/kg, 13 weighing 562kg for $2500 or 444c/kg, and a pen of 16 weighing 533kg for $2560 or 480c/kg.
The vendor also sold 11, 520kg, for $2480 or 476c/kg and 14, 509kg, for $2470 or 485c/kg.
Rolling Hills Natural Beef, Trafalgar, sold a pen of 16, 467kg, for $2230 or 477c/kg, a pen of 17, 458kg, for $2270 or 495c/kg, and 18, 490kg, for $2360 or 481c/kg.
The same vendor also sold a pen of 17, 498kg, for $2260 or 453c/kg.
Ranleigh Downs, Tarwin Lower, sold 22, 509kg, for $2530 or 497c/kg, 19, 470kg, for $2320 or 470c/kg and 18, 488kg, made $2340 or 479c/kg.
Ranleigh Downs also sold 26, 448kg, for $2260 or 504c/kg, a pen of 25, 470kg, for $2300 or 489c/kg, and 23, 462kg, for $2250 or 487c/kg.
The vendor then sold 18, 391kg, for $1970 or 503c/kg, six weighing 443kg for $2000 or 451c/kg and four weighing 530kg for $2140 or 403c/kg.
Thimms Hotels, Callignee, sold 14 weighing 405kg for $2070 or 511c/kg and 10 weighing 367kg for $1820 or 495c/kg.
The same vendor also sold 28, 366kg, for $1860 or 535c/kg, a pen of 30, 354kg, for $1880 or 531c/kg, and 27, 327kg, for $1800 or 550c/kg.
Sherleigh Nominees, Leongatha, sold 40, 604kg, for $2700 or 447c/kg, and 14, 560kg, for $2550 or 455c/kg.
The same vendor also sold eight, 580kg, for $2550 or 439c/kg.
Ajay Nominees, Yanakie, sold 17, 600kg, for $2550 or 425c/kg and 12, 525kg, for $2270 or 432c/kg.
White Pastures, Arawata, sold 14, 594kg, for 441c/kg and a pen of 11, 544kg, for 439c/kg.
Mr Kyle said the quality was very good in the first run of steers and the crossbreds also sold well.
The good prices had contributed to the big yarding, he said.
"People aren't going to hang onto 500 plus kilo cattle when they can sell them in the yards here for 450c/kg up to 480c/kg," he said.
"They'd rather have the little ones on for winter so take the money on the big ones while it's here."
Feedlot activity was very strong but local restockers were able to pick up secondary cattle, he said.
MJ Cummins & A, G & H Little, Glengarry sold 21, 307kg, for $1760 or 573c/kg.
Northside Pastoral Pty Ltd, Inverloch, sold 19 weighing 487kg for $2420 or 487c/kg.
Mirrabooka, Tarwin Lower, sold 14 weighing 387kg for $1870 or 483c/kg.
Gippsland Beef sold 28, 343kg, for $1830 or 533c/kg, 32 weighing 298kg for 590c/kg, and 26, 271kg, for $1510 or 557c/kg.
G & J Tuckett sold 20, 346kg, for $1890 or 546c/kg, a pen of 21, 300kg, for $1860 or 620c/kg, and 20, 262kg, for $1650 or 629c/kg.
Gem-Brae Ag, Yancowinna, sold 21, 314kg, for $1780 or 566c/kg, a pen of 21, 287kg, for $1670 or 581c/kg and 22, 313kg, for $1550 or 495c/kg.
Belgrano Pty Ltd, Glen Alvie, sold 26, 302kg, for $1780 or 589c/kg, a pen of 23, 340kg, for $1820 or 535c/kg, and 20, 279kg, for $1700 or 609c/kg.
Merlewood Angus, Mirboo North, sold 18, 256kg, for $1620 or 632c/kg, while W & S Roberts, Mirboo North, sold a pen of 17, 317kg, for $1630 or 514c/kg.
Salinasville, Boolarra, sold 14, 275kg, for $1640 or 596c/kg and a pen of 15, 240kg, for $1420 or 591c/kg.
B & D Harrison, Dumbalk North, sold 13 weighing 289kg, for $1590 or 550c/kg while Pines Grazing, Giffard West, sold 26, 296kg, for $1730 or 584c/kg.
Elders livestock auctioneer Rohan McRae said there was an extra feedlot buyer which saw strong competition on cattle down to about 350kg.
"There'll be a certain amount of cattle go back into the paddock but most of that well bred cattle will be going to the feedlots," he said.
He agreed the quality was very good.
"Especially those heavy, feeder-weight steers, 500 to 600kg, a really good selection of those and a really goods selection of spring drop calves," he said.
"All in all a big yarding and very good quality."
Heifers also sold very well.
Argent & Walker, Glen Forbes, sold 13, 401kg, for $1910 or 476c/kg, 18 weighing 393kg for $1880 or 478c/kg and 17, 399kg, for $1910 or 478c/kg.
Northside Pastoral Pty Ltd, Inverloch, sold six, 377kg, for $1760 or 466c/kg, a pen of 17 weighing 357kg, for $1690 or 473c/kg and 13, 344kg, for $1700 or 494c/kg.
Salinasville, Boolarra, sold 19, 328kg, for $1490 or 454c/kg and 21, 249kg, for $1260 or 506c/kg
Belgrano Pty Ltd sold 28, 301kg, for $1550 or 514c/kg and 26, 286kg, for $1450 or 506c/kg.
Medowra Angus sold 30, 264kg, for $1380 or 522c/kg and 30, 227kg, for $1190 or 524c/kg.