Mr Smith, 49, has been with Midfields for about 25 years and co-ordinated agistment and bought stock.

He was very well known across the south-west and highly respected in the livestock industry.

It’s hoped Mr Smith’s funeral will be held later this week.

Friday: A LONG-TIME Warrnambool Midfield Meat worker has been killed by a large Friesian steer near Dunkeld.

Hamilton police Sergeant David Walkley said the 49-year-old Warrnambool man was drafting stock for sale when he was attacked by the steer about 9.30am Friday.

"He was working by himself in yards at Simpsons Lane and was found by the property owner," he said

"He suffered fatal injuries. The man has managed to get out of the yards and was near the loading ramp.

"When located he was unconscious and not breathing and was unable to be revived."

Sergeant Walkley said police and WorkSafe would investigate the incident on behalf of the state Coroner.

"The man was a livestock rep, a long time worker at Midfield Meats and working on the property on behalf of a long-term client," he said.

"He was doing drafting working on the property with cattle in preparation for sale when the incident happened."

Sergeant Walkley said the steer, which weighed more than 600 kilograms, had been destroyed.

"He was still pretty angry when we arrived,” he said.

“He was that angry he was trying to crash through the fence. He was very aggressive and put down by the knackery.”