Competing for a mixed-quality penning, the local competition bid steer prices mainly between 280-330 cents a kilogram, and heifers from 220-280c/kg.

The end of financial year sale comprised mostly spring-drop weaners, along with a selection of lighter grown yearling-off types.

Due to the dry autumn, a limited number of heavier cattle were penned, and as a consequence, major feedlot buyers did not attend the sale.

Greg Bright, Landmark, said the sale was solid but did not carry the excitement that might have been expected.

“Our well-grown cattle sold well but the smaller and younger calves were harder to move and their resultant prices represented value for money buying,” Mr Bright said.

“Our local season, although being cold at present, is in fairly good shape.

“We had another fall of 50mm last week, and that was on the back of a reasonably damp May.”

He said most of the cattle traded on the day were retained within 100 to 150 kilometres of Casterton, with a good percentage of these retained to the immediate Casterton area.

“There has been a lot of talk about saleyards’ rationalisation, but today was a good example of why Casterton sales need to be continued,” he said.

Opening the market, a pen of 14 Baroona Angus steers, 449 kilograms, made $1260 a head.

These were sold to Nampara Pastoral who also purchased 10 Avalon Partnership Murray Grey steers, 425kg, at $1210, and 10 Avalon Hereford steers, 446kg, at $1250.

A yard of 24 Banemore Hereford steers, 327kg, made $960, on a bid placed by PPH&S Penola, SA, an account that also claimed 14 The Gums Angus steers, 326kg, at $975, and 16 Spring Creek Angus, 309kg, at $850.

The Landmark Hamilton and Green Triangle Livestock, Mt Gambier, SA, agencies were also keen competitors, each buying pens of the Selkirk Pastoral Angus steers, 337kg, at $1040, and 305kg, at $940, while vendor Goodwood sold 35 Angus steers, 265kg, at $850 to the Landmark Casterton office.

Unjoined heifer sales commenced with a yard of 14 Blue Gums Hereford heifers, 409kg, sold at $1145 to Nampara Pastoral.

Creek Livestock, Mt Gambier, SA, paid $910 for seven Brooklyn Hereford heifers, 910kg, while Green Triangle Livestock, Mt Gambier, SA, bid $785 for 17 Springvale Angus heifers, $755 for 10 Meteranvale Angus, 313kg, and $720 for 18 Eddington Park Angus, 281kg.

Earlier in the day at nearby Hamilton saleyards, a small market of 165 store cattle attracted a huge following of local district buyers.

A pen of 14 Warbro Hereford steers, 471kg, made 288c/kg ($1356), 13 Balwannon Murray Grey steers, 440kg made 250c/kg ($1100), while Glenlea sold 20 Angus steers, 287kg, making 306c/kg ($878).

A second pen of Glenlea steers, 239kg, made 310c/kg ($740), while 18 NA Shine Hereford heifers, 340kg, made 282c/k ($958).