Casterton calves pass 820c/kg as grown steers fetch $3000

Light-weight steers sold beyond a whopping 820 cents a kilogram as grown steers sold for more than $3000 a head.

The combined Elders and Nutrien sale offered 1000 cattle with buyers travelling from three states to select the well-breed breeders' cattle, agents said.

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Nutrien Casterton auctioneer Greg Bright said the prices at the sale were comparable with other recent markets.

"Small heifers up to 780c/kg and even our bigger steers were over $3000," Mr Bright said.

"Southern Victorian restockers underpinned the market, along with feedlotters and some cattle went north to Queanbeyan, NSW."

Almost perfect seasonal conditions in western Victoria, largely thanks to rain at the right time, has also given purchasers confidence to buy cattle with ample grass on the ground until at least the end of the year.

ML & LP Nolte, Una Vale, sold 51 steers including 24 grown Angus steers, 581kg, for 520c/kg or $3024.

The Noltes also sold 16 grown Angus steers, 528kg, for 536c/kg or $2830 and 11 Hereford steers, 502kg, for 546c/kg or $2744.

W, G, K & G Lambert, Taronga, sold 33 Hereford steers, 403kg, for 614c/kg or $2480 and 11 Hereford heifers, 330kg, for 622c/kg or $2058.

Rocklyn Park sold 80 Angus steers including 37 steers, 255kg, for 778c/kg or $1991, 24 steers, 240kg, for 788c/kg or $1891 and 19 steers, 219kg, for 826c/kg or $1812.

Boonaroo Partnership sold 57 Angus heifers including 22 heifers, 389kg, for 644c/kg or $2505, 23 heifers, 356kg, for 646c/kg or $2303 and 12 heifers, 329kg, for 620c/kg or $2040.

Corpach, Runnymede, sold 26 Angus heifers, 383kg, for 592c/kg or $2270.

The same vendor also sold another 26 Angus heifers, 371kg, for 592c/kg or $2199.

EA Edge, Phonies, sold 114 cattle including seven grown Murray Grey steers, 324kg, for 630c/kg or $2043 and four Speckle Park heifers, 347kg, for 540c/kg or $1876.

The same vendor also sold 26 Angus weaner heifers, 340kg, for 608c/kg or $2069, 26 Murray Grey heifers, 344kg, for 616c/kg or $2120 and 26 Murray Grey heifers, 314kg, for 630c/kg or $1979.

GJ Johnston, Aaronlea, sold 10 Angus steers, 364kg, for 654c/kg or $2380.

Elders Casterton territory sales manager Sam Broomby said four feedlotters vying for cattle ultimately made heavier cattle more expensive.

"The competition came from everywhere," he said.

"We had support from over the border, support locally, support via AuctionsPlus and down the coast to Warrnambool.

"The confidence in the job and the cattle industry at the moment is very strong."

Mr Broomby said buyers returned to Casterton each year because of the quality.

"Grass fatteners are making plenty for their bullocks and they know the Casterton cattle are bred well and do a good job," he said.