JERSEY heifers sold to a top of $2300 twice at Warrnambool on Monday.
Up to 91 lots backed by 30 years of artificial insemination breeding - majority on the point of calving - averaged $1650 and sold to all local buyers.
Competition from the 15 registered buyers was strong on the rising two year olds with a few buyers suspecting autumn calving cows would become more difficult to find as the season progressed.
About 15 lots of freshly calved heifers sold to a top of $1900 for two sired by Elton, while a lot by Jevon, who was sold with her heifer calf, made $1800.
Camperdown buyers Kerry McGarvie and partner Lawrence Finney averaged $1724 for 29 lots including three in-milk heifers.
The couple also purchased the two top price heifers by Jevon, which are due to calve early this month.
"We were chasing a few extra early autumn calving cows (for) better calving conditions and the better milk price," Kerry said.
"It has been hard to find autumn calvers in past years and Jersey cows in particular."
While the volume buyers paid a couple of hundred dollars a head more than (they) planned to pay Kerry said they liked that the animals on offer were well grown, well presented and close to calving.
Kerry and Lawrence milked 330 this year and hope to milk 350 next season.
It was the first stage dispersal of John and Maureen Murnane and sons Mark and Andrew, Glenawley Jerseys, of Nullawarre.
Retiring, the couple will sell their cows at a sale in March.
The Murnane's daughter and son-in-law Anna and Gerard Ryan will take over the farm with their herd of Holstein cows.
While it was early in the season, Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said the sale was good and the heifers presented really well. Sale agents were Charles Stewart.
