There were 1761 head yarded in the sale that followed the big run of weaner sales in Hamilton last week.

Steer calves from 340kg-365kg sold from $2.99-$3.23/kg while open auction steer calves topped at $1030. Most sold between $800-$1030 and lighter steers went for $550-$800.

Heifer calves sold well, topping at $2.77, with most selling between $2.45 -$2.60. 

Open auction heifers sold from $650-$800. Lighter heifers fetched $500-$650.

Warrnambool Stock Agents Association president Kieran Johnstone said “it was a very solid sale, especially on the first few steers. The black heifers also sold well. 

“There was lots of support from local areas as well as from South Australia,” Mr Johnstone said.

Local support was underpinned by producers having lots of dry feed, he said.

Landmark International also bolstered the demand, seeking to fill its live export orders to Russia, Mr Johnstone said. 

While it had not bought a great deal of calves, it bid on many and lifted the prices, he said.

Some vendors said the prices at Warrnambool compared well with those paid at last week’s Hamilton weaner sales. 

Among the satisfied vendors was Geoff Riordan of Orford who fetched $2.80c/kg for nine Angus Charolais steer weaners, Waddel blood, average weight 434.4kgs.

Mr Riordan was also awarded a prize by the Victorian Charolais Society for having the best presented pen of Charolais at the Warrnambool sale.

Also happy were the Healey family, of Glenfyne, who sold 19 pure bred Charolais steers, Morgiana blood, av wt 314kgs, for 280c/kg to repeat buyer Peter Walker of Cobden.

Anne and Andrew Dwyer of Hawkesdale bought Angus steer weaners, av wt 400kgs, for $2.90.

Anne Dwyer said the steers were about 15-20c/kg cheaper than what was offered at Hamilton last week.

Prices included:

Angus steers – B & M Smith, 17, 382kg, $3/kg, $1146; 19, 401kg, $3/kg, $1203; Hillsend, 19, 412kg, $2.96/kg, $1219; 19, 378kg, $2.93/kg, $1107; 22, 316kg, $3.23/kg, $1020; Kilmorey, 38, 339kg, $2.93/kg, $993; H & M Jarrett, 16, 404kg, $2.99/kg, $1207; Fern Bank, 20, 315kg, $3.10/kg, $976; Inglewood Angus, 11, 314kg, $3.20/kg, $1004; 19, 398kg, $2.90c/kg, $1154.

Angus heifers – Inglewood Angus, 21, 295kg, $2.77/kg, $817; 26, 340kg, $2.72c/kg, $924; Ninavah, 21, 325kg, $2.53/kg, $822; 12, 286kg, $2.49/kg, $712; Kilmorey, 20, 346kg, $2.60c/kg, $899.