THE market was not as hot as at the mountain calf sales a week ago.
But vendors still achieved $50 and up to $70 more per head at Heyfield's annual autumn store sale today than at the same sale last year.
Rodwells and Landmark yarded a combined 1900 head across two sales that attracted competition mostly from Gippsland backgrounders and breeders.
Most cattle sold within a 100-kilometre radius of Sale with odd lots making it to Bega in NSW and north east Victoria.
In cents-per-kilogram terms, rates were a little behind those seen at the mountain calf sales and the cattle were generally lighter, but quality just as good with several lines of well bred, well grown and even cattle offered.
Grown steers, from 12 to 18 months, sold from $700 and up to $910 for a pen of 20 Angus from W and M Ferguson.
Weaner steers, eight to 12 months old, mostly made from $580 to $720.
John and Mary Bergamin from Trafalgar were thrilled with an average of $532 across their draft of 188 11 to 12 month-old Hereford and Hereford-cross calves by Yarram Park bulls.
Their 121 steers sold to a top of $670 and averaged $603 and their heifers sold to $525 and averaged $484.
"They've done really well; $50 to $70 per head better than last year," Mr Bergamin said.
Most of the Bergamin heifers were bought by Pat Reddan of Rodwells.
Mr Reddan said the heifers were an "opportunity buy".
"They are the type of cattle that will go forward straight away and with the flush of feed we've got, in 60 to 90 days we might turn a quid on them," he said.
