JOINED F1 heifers sold to $1320 in Warrnambool, with vealer producers happy to pay $1000 to $1300 for first run cattle joined to a Limousin bull.

Demand for the second run PTIC Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian cross heifers held firm around prices from $880 to $1090, with the thirds making from $730 to $1000.

Even though these prices were $200 to $400 below last year  J and J Kelly auctioneer Jack Kelly said he was happy with the rates considering state of the vealer and cow markets, and the season.

"If they have bought today they have purchased well," he said of the buyers.

The top price of $1320 was paid by Ivan and Justin Uebergang from Gorae West for 12 Charolais-Friesian cross heifers joined to the Limousin bull for a January-February calving, from the Mifsud family of Mortlake.

Mr Kelly said the unjoined heifers made more than expected, with the first run of joinable 15-20 month-old heifers generally making from $600 to $740 and up to $750 for Stephen and Bettina Gleeson's 19 Angus-Friesian heifers that sold to an Elders Pakenham client. 

Mr Gleeson, a Yambuk dairy farmer, said the price was "OK" for the last of his F1 heifers. Laike many dairy farmers he is joining all of his Friesians to Friesian bulls to take advantage of the strong export heifer market.

The second run of unjoined but joinable 14-18 month-old F1 heifers at the sale made from $450 to $610 with the 5-12 month-old heifers selling out at $304 to $390.

Dunbulbalane sold 13 Angus-Friesian heifers, not rejoined, with 13 October-November drop Angus calves for $1040 and other cow-calf units sold from $660 to $1010.

Joined Angus cows sold to $925 for R&R Goodinge's 11 2006-drop cows, tested to calf from February 1.

Agents yarded about 1340 cattle plus 60 calves, with most selling back into south-west Victoria apart from small numbers that went to south-east South Australia, Ballarat and Gippsland buyers.