COMMERCIAL demand pushed spring drop steers to 273c/kg but bull bidding stumbled at the Santa Gertrudis sale today.
The 10th annual Southern Invitational sale was held at Finley and offered commercial females and weaners, and stud bulls.
Solid commercial demand pushed prices to a top of $1350 for unjoined cows and calves.
Auburn Farming, Trangie, NSW, paid $1350 for purebred cows, 4-5 years, with Merribrook Angus blood calves, 4-8 weeks, sold by Chris Cox, Moama.
Purebred and Angus cross heifers, pregnancy tested for a spring calving, sold for $775-$1225.
There was strong restocker interest in the spring drop steer weaners with prices hitting 273c/kg.
Steers, weighing 250-360kg, sold for 180-225c/kg while those under 250kg were 258-273c/kg.
A total of 22 bulls were offered with 11 sold for a top price of $3500, gross of $32,250 and average of $2931.
Santa Gertrudis Breeders' Association general manager Russell Reed bought the top price bull on behalf of Don McDonald, Tlba, NSW.
Offered by the Hague family, Lake Cargellico, the 29-month-old bull weighed 858kg and had an eye muscle area of 109sqcm.
Vendor Stan Hague rated the bull sale as "tough'' and pointed to a shortage of cow numbers.
"Once these seasonal conditions take effect, bull demand will grow,'' he said.
Cattle sold to Gippsland, Euroa, Cobram, Katamatite, Mansfield, Deniliquin, Lake Cargellico, Henty and Trangie.
