COMMERCIAL producers' demand for low birthweight bulls is rising, following the high number of mature females slaughtered in the past two years.
"The good quality heifer bulls are very much in demand this year. They're selling very well," said Elders stud stock agent Brian Kennedy.
Producers have been pushed to restock with younger females, leading to the increased demand for heifer bulls, he explained.
"With the amount of cows that have been killed and processed in the past two years Australia wide, a lot of people have sold their old cows.
"Some completely sold their herds so they've started again with young heifers."
Commercial producers are taking advantage of better prices for cull bulls this year, and have invested their returns in younger stock.
"There's still very good value in turning over older bulls," Mr Kennedy said.
"In a lot of cases a cull bull will make very close to $2000, or even $2500 - half the cost of a new bull."
In the Northern Rivers, agents report an increase in demand for top-quality bulls from commercial producers.
Elders stud stock agent Andrew Meara, Queensland, said welcome seasonal breaks in northern NSW and some of Queensland, have afforded some producers an opportunity to cull cows they don't need, or aren't performing.
"They could replace those cull cows with females that will do the job," he said.
Interest from commercial producers for the top end of stud sales has reflected the higher prices for weaners across the Northern Rivers and North Coast, according to Casino-based agent Darren Perkins, George and Fuhrmann.
At the Franco Herefords bull sale on July 17 the top bull sold for $17,000, with commercial producer Erris Vidler, Casino, outbidding two studs.
All 28 bulls at last Friday's Brooklana Angus sale went to commercial buyers.
"We're starting to see a lot of people in the Northern Rivers becoming specialists in their weaner operations," he said.
"Those commercial producers are starting to realise that they've got to spend bigger money on bulls to get the better market options at the end."
Mr Perkins said restockers and lotfeeders were looking at the genetic background of weaners.
Good quality weaners in the Northern Rivers are fetching from $2.80 to $3.40 a kilogram.
"They're purchasing cattle that are very well bred as well as being able to perform," Mr Perkins said.
"The better bred weaners are making the best money, and it's good money considering the top weaners are sold between January and April or May.
"This is the first year we've had dearer prices for weaners after March.
"It depends on the season, but traditionally the weaner markets get cheaper going into winter."
Mr Perkins said it had been a few years since many of his clients had replaced their bulls.
"They have money in their pockets with the better weaner prices and this year people have made the decision that they're willing to buy now knowing that bulls could be much more expensive next year."
- with AMELIA WILLIAMS