Prices for heavy steers weighing between 466-524kgs reached between $2.88-$2.98c/kilograms while those for lighter steers ranged from $3.06-$3.54/kg.

Warrnambool Stock Agents Association president Glenn Judd said plenty of grass, an offering of good quality cattle and less cattle being turned off in northern Australia following rain there had all contributed to the lift in demand.

Prices for heifers also lifted about 30c/kg, ranging from $2.96c/kg for 416kg animals to $3.06/kg for 351kgs.

A good offering of 1850 cattle attracted buyers from South Australia, including feedlotters, as well as a solid representation of local buyers.

In the open auction, steers sold between $750 to a top of $1190. Smaller Steers sold between $650-$750, cross-bred steers and Friesian Steers between $700-$1050 and small Friesian steers $420-$$680.

Open auction heifers sold from $720-$1020, small heifers $450-$740 and F1 Heifers from $880-$1040.

Prices for cow and calf units ranged from the $2675 for each of the 21 units offered by Coffey Partnerships to the $2400 for each of the eight units from Willow Park.

A Charolais bull from Waddell Livestock sold for $4500.

Mr Judd said the Warrnambool saleyards was ranked third in the state for throughput and would have another big yarding ready for the November store sale.

The November store sale would present many annual drafts of well-bred cattle, he said.

Among the vendors happy with the lift in prices at Warrnambool was T.J. Symons of Ballangeich who sold 13 steers averaging 377kgs for 3.18c/kg.

Mr Symons said producers were ready to stock up because they had plenty of feed.

He said he was selling because the steers had reached the right weight and he had more to come on to the market.

Also pleased with the prices were David and Jenny Powne of “Kulkurt” at Tatyoon who sold seven 10-11 month old steers averaging 368kgs for 316c/kg.

Their agent, Ken Boyd of Landmark, said much of the demand at the sale was local with people looking to restock depleted herds.

“Feedlots have also pushed prices up,” Mr Boyd said.

Cattle presented at the Warrnambool sale had also been in good condition, he said.

James and Jess Porter of “Glenmoyne” at Toolong near Port Fairy sold one pen of 10 Angus steers, averaging 389kgs, for 314c/kg ($990), and another pen of 10 Angus steers, averaging 337kgs, for 294c/kg ($1221).

Mr Porter said the prices were a substantial improvement on the $900 a head he got for his previous lot of steers.

Among those looking to buy Angus heifers were Stuart McLean of Drik Drik near Dartmoor.

Mr McLean was expecting to pay something similar to the $3.17/kg he paid for heifers averaging 335kgs at Hamilton on October 20.

He expected the heifers would be bred by artificial insemination to Speckle Park bloodlines.

Indicative prices included:

Steers: Tydam, 14 Angus, 524kg, $2.88c/kg, $1509; Rossverland Farms, 17 Angus, 497kg, $2.94, $1461, 13 Angus, 466kg, $2.98, $1388; Oblong, 11 Angus, 435kg, $3.03, $1318.00; Merri Farms, 10 Angus, 413kg, $3.06, $1263;  Timboon Farms, 10 Angus, 401kg, $3,02, $1211;  Wardston, 9 Red Angus, 406kg, $3.15, $1278, West Ridge, 19 Angus, 417kg, $3.25, $1355; Bookadale, 22 Angus, 336kg, $3.52, $1182; Treasland, 14 Angus, 318kg, $3.54, $1125; JG & J Swayne, 16 Charolais, 402kg, $3.24, $1302, 8 Charolais, 355kg, $3.42c, $1214. 

Heifers: GJ & CL Dyson, 20 Angus, 402kg, $2.76, $1109, 14 Angus, 416kg, $2.96, $1231; Ware Pastoral, 27 Blonde D/Aquiltaine/Hick Beef Red CompositeX, 351kg, $3.06, $1074; Solar Burst, 10 Angus, 385kg, $2.96, $1139.