WVLX Mortlake welcomes buyers from Gippsland, buying in preparation for plentiful feed

Agents yarded just over 2300 cattle in what was described as a typical winter yarding.

Nearly all types of cattle were dearer, with grown steers at an average weight of 600 kilograms-plus selling up to 40 cents per kilogram dearer, while cattle that were more than 500kg had prices grow even further by 50c/kg, with buyers from AuctionsPlus snapping up pens in the weight range.

Grown heifers averaged 554c/kg but pens went as high as 650c/kg, while grown steers averaged slightly below the heifers at 547c/kg, with their top pen being sold at 582c/kg.

Weaners steers averaged 678c/kg but a couple of pens broke the 900c/kg mark while weaner heifers averaged 652c/kg.

Southern Grampians Livestock agent Glen Judd said lighter cattle prices were also driven up high.

"When you got to the cattle that were around the 300 to 360kg range, we saw many pens do about 40c/kg to 50c/kg more," he said.

"The little weaner cattle went well, particularly a run of cattle from Baulch Ag who brought in 230 calves and sold up to 900c/kg."

Mr Judd one Heywood agent bought one run of 120 steers of the Baulch Ag offering.

"The market is was getting back to where it was, with heifers also starting very strong and little cattle being over 800c/kg," he said.

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Mr Judd said that continued rains would mean Mortlake will be in for a bigger yarding in upcoming store sales later this year.

"Down here, the blossoming that we are seeing will mean an early start to spring, and I think there'll be some feed to burn in most places three weeks time," he said

Even though the yarding was a low number compared to regular WVLX Mortlake store sales, Mr Judd said the sale was a better yarding compared to many other Victorian store sales in previous weeks.

"It just means that buyers can come and get a truckload of cattle comfortably here, and hence the large interest in the gallery," he said.

Many Gippsland buyers who took advantage of the larger yarding bid vigorously, along with the usual contingent of feedlotter and commission purchasers.

Elders agent Bruce Redpath said he was amazed at how many people who visited the sale, despite outstanding cattle being scarce.

"The carpark was really full today, and I think in particular Gippsland buyers were plentiful - we hadn't seen as many from that region here at Mortlake for nearly two years," he said.

"They have had a lot of rain, particularly in south and east Gippsland."

"There were locals here buying too, many who we hadn't seen for up to 12 months who have been away thinking things were too dear."

Mr Redpath also said cows and calves, while not of good quality, sold for $800 dearer.

"Cows and calves that would have made around near $3500 would not have even made $3000 at the last sale, so I think there is a lot of confidence out through the place, and that is in part to fears being eased over foot and mouth disease."

Other notable sales included Elandery Lodge, who sold 43 Angus heifers, 345kg, for 650c/kg or $2240.

Athol Hill sold 11 Angus steers, 618kg, for 508c/kg or $3140 and another pen of 19 Angus steers, 547kg, for 556c/kg or $3040.

Westwood sold 15 Angus steers, 600kg, for 510c/kg or $3062.

Moongulla sold 16 Angus steers, 456kg, for 582c/kg or $2655.

Furneaux sold 6 Angus steers, 292kg, for 656c/kg or $1918.

Oakvale sold one pen of 17 Hereford steers, 514kg, for 544c/kg or $2793 and another pen of 18 Hereford steers, 477kg for 545c/kg or $2503.

Bonnie View sold one pen of 14 Angus steers, 311kg for 694c/kg or $2158 and another pen of 15 Angus steers, 290kg for 710c/kg or $2061.

V & C Goy sold 18 Charolais heifers, 269kg for 690c/kg or $1857.

Tigerlilli sold 11 Angus heifers, 340kg, for 582c/kg or $1984.

Mt Napier sold 25 Angus PTIC heifers, 487kg, for $2650 and another pen of 16 Angus PTIC heifers, 504kg, for $2650.