HEAVY 11-month-old Angus steer weaners sold to a top of $750, or 208c/kg, at Elders's feature sale at Pakenham today.
If restockers thought that last week's Ballarat sale was dear, then it only got dearer at Pakenham.
Rohan McRae, of Elders, Korumburra, who had orders for grass finishers, said the market was being driven by the exceptional season.
The feature Elders sale attracted a relatively large yarding of 3250 head including the weaner drafts of three major vendors.
These included nearly 1000 August-September drop Angus and Simmental Angus cross weaners from Malcolm and Kerry Bishop's Lojosa Springs herd from Glenburn and their Werai Station from Deniliquin and the Folett's family's Gembrae herds from Lang Lang and Finley with 800 head.
The third big vendor was Randot Pastoral from Warren, NSW with 750 bos indicus cross weaners 4-9 months.
Topping the heavier grown steers pens at $945 were 15 Charolais Angus cross on account of R Heald from Korumburra.
These 20 month-old steers at 537kg sold for 180c/kg.
Gembrae topped the Spring-drop weaners with 17 360kg Angus at $750 or 208c/kg.
The strong demand also extended into the Herefords where Gary Marshall from Yarrawood Herefords, Yea sold 24 10-12 month 292kg steers for $675 or 231c/kg.
Gippsland grass finishers drove much of the market, although commission buyers Denis Henderson and Graeme Ward, each with three B-doubles loads kept the demand strong into the lighter steers and heifers.
Elders national livestock manager Chris Howie was also major buyer of 300 heade across most classes with orders from three backgrounders.
Other buyers included Jodie Darcy of Keatley Livestock Casterton and John Ellis from Hamilton.
