Casterton steers sell to 344c/kg at Angus weaner sale

Landmark and Elders agents yarded 2158 steer weaners as prices remained above 310c/kg for most of the sale.

Agents estimated more than 1000 cattle were EU-accredited, which were popular among feedlotters who travelled from interstate to select strong lines of steers.

Landmark Casterton auctioneer Rick Smith said he was nervous prior to the sale, unsure what to expect due to the ordinary seasonal conditions in other parts of Victoria.

"I think everyone would be excited with their prices given what's going on in the north and to the east of us," Mr Smith said.

"The heavier cattle got off to a very good start between 320-340c/kg, with your northern feedlots operating as well as a few local producers looking to buy EU quality cattle.

"The biggest thing that stood out, however, was vendors who had EU cattle because if you had the green sticker on the card you were looking at a 20-25c/kg premium."

The first pen of 31 Angus steers which were also EU-accredited, 360kg, by Marlan sold for $1191 a head or 331c/kg.

The second pen of 33 steers, 380kg, by the Faroe family at The Gums, Carapook, topped the market fetching 344c/kg or $1307.

"We've had a big effort to get as many EU cattle as we can and it's proven to be quite successful because at a guess we had 1000-1100 EU cattle here today," Mr Smith said.

"EU cattle sold for 330c/kg and more for 350kg and above for a good black steer and once you got off the EU draft it dropped back to 310-320c/kg, particularly for weaned cattle."

Chris and Karyn Jarrad, Forest View, Sandford, recorded the top price per head with a pen of 27 Angus steers, 392kg, selling for $1340 or 342c/kg.

"A lot of cattle will be retained locally, perhaps 10-20 per cent of the yarding which is good considering we're in a breeders area," Mr Smith said.

Elders Casterton branch manager Jamie Bellinger said the sale was 15-20c/kg above expectations and estimated the sale was 5-10c/kg dearer on last year's market.

"That's a reflection on the season because feedlotters and backgrounders are struggling to find heavy cattle," Mr Bellinger said.

"The quality of the cattle stood up and the people that came to buy needed to fill trucks so that's what they were doing."

Support from restockers bolstered demand while buyers from South Gippsland and Naracoorte, SA, as well as Landmark International drummed up competition.

"Feedlot activity was strong today which was surprising because those feedlotters who did buy were going further north than expected including to Whyalla, NSW, and other places," Mr Bellinger said.

"It wasn't a one-bid sale, we had plenty of bids and it was quite animated which was good to see.

"It's also a credit to the vendors because people are getting better at presenting them, setting them up and weaning them and we hope to continue to see that grow."

Tora Downs sold 33 Angus steers, 388kg, for $1226 or 316c/kg.

Wando Ponds sold 18 steers, 378kg, for $1205 or 319c/kg.

Wyandra sold 49 steers, 340kg, for $1145 or 337c/kg.

Gunadoo sold 20 steers, 386kg, for $1223 or 317c/kg.

Aigle sold 24 steers, 391kg, for $1243 or 318c/kg.

Maryvale sold a 24 steers, 341kg, for $1152 or 338c/kg.

Brimbi sold 18 steers, 386kg, for $1177 or 320c/kg.

Ulonga sold 38 steers, 370kg, for $1180 or 311c/kg.

Meteranvale sold 24 steers, 352kg, for $1140 or 324c/kg.

West Ridge sold 23 steers, 386kg, for $1300 or 337c/kg.

Majors Creek sold 18 steers, 315kg, for $1023 or 325c/kg.

Erin Valley sold eight steers, 295kg, for $911 or 309c/kg.

Casterton's Hereford steer sale will be held on Wednesday from 9am followed by the annual heifer sale on Friday.