Pakenham store cattle fully firm in mixed yarding

The sale yarded about 2000 head.

Anthony Delaney, Nutrien Delaney Livestock and Property, said the quality was mixed but prices were still very good.

"It was equally as dear as it has been, if not in some spots dearer," he said.

"It was your regular commission-based buyers, a lot of feedlot competition, plus also we're starting to see a lot of appetite for cattle to go back to the paddock now."

Sackville Stud, Doreen, sold 16 Angus steers, 357kg, for $2350 or 658c/kg and 18 Angus heifers, 347kg, for $2150 or 619c/kg.

Mornington View Pastoral sold 15 Poll Hereford steers, 430kg, for $2500 or 581c/kg and 20 heifers, 399kg, for $2130 or 533c/kg.

Minridge Farm sold 16 Angus cross Poll Hereford steers, 390kg, for $2380 or 610c/kg, and a pen of nine steers, 260kg, for $2200 or 611c/kg.

The same vendor also sold two pens of 32 Angus cross Poll Hereford heifers, 358kg, which averaged $2030 a head or 567c/kg, and 18 heifers, 285kg, for $1770 or 621c/kg.

MA McCormack & Sons sold 22 Angus heifers, 337kg, for $1880 or 557c/kg, a pen of 22, 297kg, for $1830 or 616c/kg, and 19, 288kg, for $1720 or 597c/kg.

The same vendor also sold 22 heifers, 276kg, for $1650 or 597c/kg, a pen of 24, 269kg, for $1660 or 617c/kg and 22, 236kg, for $1500 or 635c/kg.

Mr Delaney said the season in West Gippsland was a bit behind compared to the East and South but the rain over the weekend would be a big help.

Alex Scott & Staff Pakenham livestock auctioneer David Setches said there were more crossbred cattle on offer and the sale lacked the lines of weaner calves that had been seen in previous weeks.

Lighter calves weighing between 220 to 260kg sold from 680 to 750c/kg, he said.

Everitt, Seeley & Bennetts sold steers weighing about 700kg that returned close to 490c/kg, he said, with the heavy cattle on offer firm on a fortnight ago.

Heifers also sold well, making $20 to $40 more than a fortnight ago.

"There was strong feedlot competition on heifers as well as demand to go back to the paddock," he said.

"We had Black Baldy heifers, 258kg, make $2070."

Pens of Friesian steers also sold very well, with those weighing about 250kg sold above 520c/kg.