UNCERTAINTY in the domestic vealer market took the edge off prices at Warrnambool's first cross heifer sale today.

Although 250 Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Frieisian heifers, on the point of calving, sold for more than $1000 most vendors believed this year's prices were $100 to $150 down on last year's rates.

Several vendors opted to pass in some of their cattle.

Pam Turner's pen of 12 Angus-Friesian cross 30-month-old joined to calve to a Limousin from next week topped the sale at $1225.

This year's sale, the seventh, attracted a record yarding of 2200 head, of which 1700 were Friesian cross heifers 24-30 months due to calve over the next three months.

Most had been joined to Limousin bulls to produce a domestic vealers.

Jack Kelly of J&J Kelly, who, along with Michael Goldby of South West Farmers, has been a major developer of the market, blamed uncertainty on the season and economic climate for any easing in prices.

"If you look at vealer prices today, they are still better than this time last year," Mr Kelly said.

The majority of the point-of-calving heifers sold from $750-950.

Most of the buyers came from within a 100km radius of Warrnambool, Victoria, while several pens were sold to South Australia.

Other distance buyers included Rick Willis of Rodwells Yea who bought 80 heifers for three local clients.

Robyn Morley from Clarkefield bought 37 heifers which would be rejoined to Belgain Blue bulls. She paid to a top of $850

While Angus-Friesian cross heifers dominated the yarding, there was still a large selection of Hereford-Friesian and Murray Grey-Friesian cross heifers. The latter topped at $900, while Andrew Jack from Cashmore topped the Hereford-Friesian pens at $1110.

The tops in the autumn calving cows, 2nd and 3rd calvers was $925.

Demand was limited for the unjoined heifers. Several pens were bought for grass and grain finishing.

Most of the heifers sold from $450 to $580.

Ray Mifsud's pen of 12 16-18 month, Angus Friesian from Mortlake topped the bids at $600 but he opted to pass them in along with another pen 12 at $580.

"I was hoping to get $700, but instead I will take them home and keep them myself" said Mr Mifsud said.