Pakenham grown steers pass $3200 as small calves hit 756c/kg

Agents yarded about 2000 steers and heifers for the fortnightly store sale, where feedlotters competed for the heavier end of the yarding as increased restocker interest was noted by several agents.

Ideal perfect seasonal conditions are giving graziers a shot of spring confidence despite the Victorian Livestock Exchange sale offering fewer runs of vendor-bred cattle.

Nutrien Delaney Livestock & Property director Anthony Delaney said prices were very similar to other store sales across Victoria.

He said South Gippsland grass fatteners underpinned the market with several agents from a handful of firms active and buying cattle.

"In terms of quality, cattle were a far way advanced on the last store sale we had here," Mr Delaney said.

"Like a lot of sales, we seem to fall in the pattern of one week it's an ordinary yarding and then the next week, a pretty decent yarding and that's what we had here today."

Mr Delaney said the sale featured a large contingent of dairy and crossbred cattle.

"On the heavier steers 600 kilograms plus sold well over 500 cents a kilogram," he said.

"Our weaner calves were up around 700c/kg so that is a very good result.

"Most of the heifers went to the same feedlotters and grass fatteners with not many heifers at the sale suitable for breeding purposes."

A & T Johnstone, Hill End sold 37 cows with 39 calves at foot after selling a portion of their beef property.

Eleven heifers with calves at food sold to $3500, 12 cows with calves at food made $3300 and 11 cows with calves sold for $3000.

Bayview Road Farm, Jam Jerrup, sold one heifer with a calf at foot for $3380 and four cows, second calvers, with calves at foot for $3220.

Robinson & Hasthorpe, Tanjil South, sold seven cows with calves at foot for $3250, 13 cows with calves at foot for $2880 and seven cows and calves for $2500.

S Failla sold six Charolais cows with calves at foot for $3950.

Elders Pakenham livestock agent Carlo Taranto said the sale was fully firm on previous sales.

"There was a lot less lines of cattle here today and a lot more mixed cattle but we had some little steers, 200 kilos, made $2000 and that was 740c/kg so that was very good," he said.

"Feedlotters were buying the bigger cattle and there seemed to be a lot more farmers out buying the ones and twos which was good to see.

"We had a big run of cows and calves make up to $4000 and in two weeks' times we plan to have a special line of 700 cattle with mainly feedlot cattle from four or five big breeders."

Nar Nar Goon Angus sold 19 steers, 275kg, for $2000 a head or 727c/kg.

Eastmore Pty Ltd, Dromana, sold 12 steers, 24-26 months, for $3100 or 481c/kg and 14 steers, 612kg, for $3000 or 490c/kg.

Visser & Anderson, Koo Wee Rup, sold 20 steers, 680kg, for $3220 or 473c/kg and 17 steers, 644kg, for $3160 or 410c/kg.

Malanda Pastoral, Stradbroke, sold 21 steers, 395kg, for $2540 or 643c/kg.

Wells Agriculture, Elaine, sold 20 steers, 314kg, for $2270 or 722c/kg and 46 heifers, 309kg, for $1990 or 644c/kg.

P Fanning, Sunnyside, sold 11 steers, 22 months, 506kg, for $2730 or 539c/kg.

Batwood, Yarragon, sold 11 heifers, 352kg, for $2010 or 571c/kg.

Sars Investments, Lysterfield, sold 21 steers, 389kg, for $2520 or 647c/kg and 20 steers, 324kg, for $2320 or 716c/kg.

Alex Scott & Staff Pakenham livestock manager David Setches said the lighter end of the cattle were very strong, while heifers also rose in demand.

"Heifers with a bit of type and breeding were highly sought after to go back into breeding programs," he said.

"The heifers certainly have increased in price and that's really pleasing to see.

"Feedlots were very solid and a lot of the 500-650kg steers made from 490-570c//kg."

R & P Wuchatsch, Nar Nar Goon, sold 24 steers, 350kg, for $2420 or 691 and 24 steers, 320kg, for $2420 or 756c/kg.

B Pittman, Yannathan, sold 15 Angus heifers, 398kg, for $2380 or 597c/kg.

Guest Farming, Coldstream, sold 17 steers, 507kg, for $2920 or 575c/kg.

D McFarlane, Lang Lang, sold five steers, 290kg, for $1900 or 655c/kg and eight heifers, 290kg, for $1880 or 648c/kg.

R Shone, Nowa Nowa, sold 23 Hereford steers, 295kg, for $2070 or 701c/kg and 16 Hereford heifers, 290kg, for $1750 or 603c/kg.