Wangaratta cattle quality lifts and takes prices higher

The 1942 steers yarded averaged $917 a head, while the 923 heifers averaged $660.

Corcoran Parker director Justin Keane said Wangaratta was at the centre of a fresh ring of green pastures.

But there was little feed beyond and the 2860 head of cattle at last Friday's sale had been carried through long, tough summer and autumn seasons.

Local cattle made up about three-quarters of the yarding with another 500 or so coming from drier regions across the border in NSW.

Mr Keane said vendors were reasonably pleased with the results but emphasised the cost producers had borne to maintain condition with bought-in feed.

"The quality at Wangaratta was better than it has been at recent sales and the improved prices reflected that quality rather than any real market gains," he said.

"While cattle were generally presented in store condition, any buyers would be happy with their frame and potential."

Most buyers were local.

"A lot of the buyers had travelled from within a 200-kilometre radius of Wangaratta, where there's a little bit of feed," he said.

"There weren't a lot of southern buyers because it's too dry there.

"While there was a feedlot presence, they weren't operating as few pens were of a suitable size, with most in the 220 to 370 kilogram range."

Among the feature lines were 44 Poll Hereford steers from sisters Fay and Chris McKenzie of Springhurst.

Their two pens of 392 and 394kg, 15-month-old, Wirruna-blood steers topped the market with a price of $1350, which equated to 343-344 cents a kilogram.

Speaking after the sale, Fay McKenzie said the cattle made nearly $300 more than last year and were an average 10kg heavier.

Dedicated users of modern homozygous polled genetics, the McKenzies run a self-replacing herd and the Wangaratta grown steer and spring weaner sale is one of the most important markets on the sisters' calendar.

"We were quite pleased, really, although it has cost us quite a bit to get them through in that condition," Ms McKenzie said.

"I was surprised by the quality of the yarding because it has been very tough.

"We badly want rain now or it will all dry off again and go to seed."

Two pens of 20 AJ Smith steers were $1270 or 356c/kg and 347c/kg.

GA & PM Norman's 31, 366kg, steers made $1270 or 347c/kg.

A pen of 37 Colquhoun Park steers weighing 364kg made $1180 or 324c/kg.

C & N McGauran's pen of eight 406kg steers brought $1285 or 317c/kg while their 389kg heifers were $1090 or 280c/kg.

A single 405kg Taminick Enterprises heifer topped the per head market price with $1180 or 291c/kg.

At $1090, RC & SM Leavold's six 358kg heifers were 294c/kg.