HEREFORD weaned steers, 12 months and estimated at 370kg topped at $780 at Benambra yesterday.
The top pen of eight Herefords were bred and sold by the Anderson family from Benambra.
Like at the preceding Omeo sale nothing went cheap at the second of the Elders' feature sales which included a yarding of 1500 Herefords.
But unlike the Omeo Angus yarding, the Benambra's early-autumn drop Hereford weaners were up to 50kg heavier.
And like at Omeo the differential between unweaned and weaned steers and heifers was as much as 10c/kg.
Buyers operating for NSW restockers were not interested in buying the heavier steers if they weren't weaned.
Tony Arscott of Elders Warrnambool was the most promient bidder on the heavier Hereford weaners accounting for 185 head.
Most of the lighter Hereford steers (250-300kg) were bought for NSW restockers at rates of about 220c/kg.
NSW competition was also keen on the lighter heifers where dollars a head seem to matter more than c/kg.
The tops of the Hereford heifers bred and sold by AG&SM Pendergast from Benambra sold for $600 or 188c/kg.
Most of the Hereford heifers sold from $450-$550.
Included among the major buyers was Graham Ward who was buying for the South Australian Ogilvie group.
