IN a yarding of 1900 steers, prices were solid across the entire Leongatha store sale on Thursday.

Stuart Jenkins, Stevens Egan Johnston, said prices were steady from the start to the finish of the market - with buying support predominantly from local areas.

“Every animal in its class sold to its most optimum price. The highlight of the sale was definitely the consistency and quality of the yarding,” Mr Jenkins said.

Several annual drafts from local breeders were offered - including 201 Angus steers from R Boddy and Son, Woodside. These sold from $420-$530 a head to average $485 or 200 cents a kilogram.

Mr Jenkins picked up 119 of these August/September 2009-drop calves for local clients.

“It’s hard to buy calves of this quality at this price. They have the potential to grow into really good cattle,” he said.

Mr Jenkins quoted heavier steers to $860 or an estimated 165-173c/kg, while yearling-off cattle made from $600-$740 or 175-185c/kg.

Younger steers returned $450-$630 or 185-230c/kg with the extreme prices achieved on the lightest calves.

Despite a recent jump in prime values (10-20c/kg for bullocks), he said no alterations were noted in store rates. “It was a correction that needed to happen. For the first time we are actually selling the same cents per kilogram for stores as what the fat cattle are making,” Mr Jenkins said.

*See full report in Stock & Land's March 4, 2010, paper.