GROWING feed in Gippsland helped drive a dearer price trend for store steers at Yea today.
The market was rated as at least $50 a head dearer compared to a month ago and stronger than recent sales in the north-east, with yearling-off Angus steers selling to $830 and unjoined heifers to $760.
“This is certainly a dearer sale overall,’’ said South Gippsland agent Alan Pell, Landmark Leongatha, who was one of several southern buyers to operate at the sale.
“It’s only in the past couple of weeks that things have started to dry out and people (in South Gippsland) are looking to buy cattle.’’
Most of the young steers sold from $600 to $750 at rates estimated at 200c/kg and higher.
Cows and calves sold to $1240 for Angus heifers with spring drop calves, while the best of the young heifers suitable to join topped at $760.
Plainer heifers were also deemed dearer than recent markets where this class of stock have been heavily discounted, with most sales from $500 to $550 at solid rates estimated above 180c/kg.
