THE prices mimicked the hot weather at the store cattle sale at Strathalbyn on Friday, with strong bidding lifting returns for vendors.

HEIFERS with calves at-foot made up to $3800 at Monday's annual Mount Gambier combined agents female sale - $1400 up on the top mark at the 2020 female sale.

In roughly three hours on Friday, $6.6 million worth of cattle were sold at the monthly store cattle sale at Mount Gambier.

Ken Wilcock notes that delayed starts and short weeks due to tight supply of slaughter cattle have resulted in a sharp drop in exports.

Ken Wilcock notes that in contrast to the Mexican standoff between Australia and China at present, NZ and China have signed an upgraded trade deal.

A WATTLE Range councillor and Millicent cattle producer is gathering support for a plan to extend the operations of the Millicent saleyards for another five years, with a crucial vote to take place at the council's February meeting.

Ken Wilcock notes that anticipated lower US production coupled with improved packer demand is expected to drive prices higher in 2021.

FRIDAY'S Strathalbyn cattle market once again attracted impressive prices across the entire offering, buoyed by keen restocker interest both locally and interstate.

Prices in the final and largest heifer weaner sale for the season at Naracoorte came close to matching the strong steer cents a kilogram rates achieved the previous day.

Heavy feeder steers may have been back at least 10c/kg at the final Naracoorte weaner sale for the season but light weight steers took another jump selling to $5.52/kg.