Prices for heavier cattle at Ballarat eased, but steers weighing betwen 300-500 kilograms retained their value, according to agents.
Agents yarded 3899 head of cattle at the Central Victorian Livestock Exchange.
Nutrien Ballarat livestock manager Xavier Shanahan said the heaviest of the cattle, past 500kg, were about $100 a head cheaper.
"Once they came back into the genuine feedlot weights it looked pretty similar, or maybe a touch cheaper," Mr Shanahan said.
He said there were few lines of under 300kg steers and heifers, which reflected the season.
"The general run of steer weaners made $2100-2500," he said.
He said there was a "pretty good push" on the first run of weaner heifers for breeding purposes.
"There was a fair bit of $2200 there on some breeding heifers, which was good to see," he said.
He said Gippsland agents were strong for the first time for a while, backed by SA and northern orders, for Wangaratta and Echuca.
HF Richardson auctioneer Bernie Nevins said the sale started softer on the heavier steers, but as the sale progressed to cattle under 500kg, prices returned to those of last month.
"It was one of those days where certain weaners were back $80-$90, then there were sales of weaners which were no cheaper than last sale," Mr Nevins said.
"It was a beautiful run of cattle - heavy heifers could have been $50-80 cheaper, but the top weaners sold up to 700 cents a kilogram."
Elders Ballarat livestock manager Graeme Nicholson estimated the 500kg cattle came off by about 20c/kg at the market.
"They perhaps came back in line with the prime markets," Mr Nicholson said.
He said JBS, Hopkins River, Teys, Creek Livestock, and commission buyers Duncan Brown and Campbell Ross were "knocking heads" to get the right cattle.
Hawkstone sold 23 Omeo-bred Mawarra/Glendan Park-blood steers, 538kg, for $2710 or 503c/kg.
Telegraph Road sold 22 Murdeduke and Weeran-blood steers, 540kg, for $2740 or 507c/kg.
FA & GJ Richardson sold 38 Francs and Loughlin Park-blood steers, 560kg, for $2840 or 507c/kg.
Bundalong sold 25 Conamarra/Laradell-blood steers, 496kg, for $2830 or 570c/kg.
Barwon Holdings sold 24 Merridale/Murdeduke-blood steers, 475kg, for $2800 or 589c/kg.
Yanika sold 24 Deloraine-blood steers, 472kg, for $2680 or 567c/kg.
VG & SM Richards sold 18 Tipooburra-blood steers, 289kg, for $2190 or 757c/kg.
Seriston Pastoral sold 20 Nampara-blood steers, 344kg, for $2240 or 651c/kg.
Mena Park sold 14 Carngham Station/Langi Kal Kal-blood steers, 264kg, for $1900 or 719c/kg.
P&D Joseph sold 16 Angus steers, 226kg, for $1810 or 800c/kg.
JPar Pastoral sold 12 Angus heifers, 394kg, for $2070 or 525c/kg.
CB & SL McLeod sold five Angus heifers, 301kg, for $1940 or 644c/kg.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
