VICTORIAN dairy farmers are looking across the border to top up their herds.

Dairy Livestock Services South Australian agent Brian Haebich said he had been sending up to two B-double truckloads of milking cows a month from the Adelaide area, mid north and lower parts of the river system to Victoria for up to 10 months.

Prices have ranged from $1500-$1800 plus freight.

Describing the offerings as "good Friesian cows with the odd cross-bred, medium to large framed", Mr Haebich said they ranged from spring calving to freshly-calved to some February or March calving cows.

"They (South Australian) farmers are getting out because they are not big enough or the milk factories don't want their milk," he said.

The most recent purchases have been delivered to Portland from Riverton and Laura, north of Adelaide. For them, the freight was $100 a head.

Mr Haebich said most inquiries for large volumes came from Victoria or Queensland. South Australian farmers were after only six to 10 head to top up their herds.

Victorian demand has stemmed from farmers selling to the lucrative international heifer market.

"They have been exporting and, all of a sudden, they realise they have got no replacements," Mr Haebich said.

"It has been a bit better season too. People have feed and water for irrigation."

Queensland demand for South Australian cattle was a result of bovine Johne's disease requirements.

Elders and DLS sold 144 registered holsteins at Camperdown last week for an average of $2177. Agent Allan Hickey said "elite commercial" cows were selling for between $2500-$3000, but demand always depended on the season.

Landmark Gippsland dairy co-ordinator John Bowler has had many inquiries for cows. Good commercial cows would make between $1400 and $2000, he said.

He expected demand to increase following recent rain and said there were orders for up to 70-100 head.

Meanwhile, at the Gippsland Spring Jersey Spectacular at Warrugal on Monday, 39 jerseys on behalf of Araluen Park and Stonyrun Aus Jerseys, Shady Creek via Yarragon, averaged $2397, while 19 head on behalf of Blaxland Jerseys averaged $1821.