BIDDING was strong at this month's Mount Gambier store cattle sale but it was the agents' attire that turned more heads.
A few of them donned pink tutus on the rail for a good cause, helping raise funds for Stand Like Stone Foundation.
It was a fundraising initiative of Liz Rymill who is one of eight contestants in the 'Swinging with the Stars' event, being held later this month.
Teys Charlton and Thomas Foods International bid strongly for feeder cattle in the yarding of nearly 3000 head. Most feeder steers made $3.15-$32.0/kg while feeder heifers made $2.50/kg to $2.70/kg.
Barry and Noreen Davis, Dartmoor, Vic, sold four pens including the $1650 top priced steers.
The 13 Angus weighing 526 kilograms, were knocked down to TFI.
The Davises well-bred cattle were 14-16 months of age and had been bought at Mount Gambier a year ago as weaners from Tuscanna.
Kumara SE P/L, Kalangadoo, had one of the top weaner drafts selling more than 150 July 2018-drop, Pathfinder blood Angus steers.
The top pen of 20 weighing 364kg made $1180.
AB, BE&SD Feast topped the Hereford steer offering with a pen of 16-18 month olds which made $1550.
The 544kg steers were knocked down to Creek Livestock.
The top priced breeding females were 10 Angus cows and calves from Govinda which made $1840.
Rangeview, had some of the stand-out unmated heifers with 20 Angus weighing 375kg making $1140.
Their second pen made $970.
Green Triangle Livestock's Chris Manser said it was a very good sale.
"The feeder steers were a little dearer than the last store sale with the feedlotters very active especially on 380 to 400kg plus (steers)," he said.
"This pushed graziers onto the smaller steers which also sold well with steers 300kg and under up to $3.30/kg to $3.50/kg."
Mr Manser said cows with calves had been "tough going" all year but unmated heifers had made up to $2.80/kg.
"The last few days we have had 30mm to 35mm (of rain) which has given everyone a little confidence," he said.
"Prices are definitely going up, it is just a matter of when- I thought it would have already happened."
Landmark Keatley's Dale Keatley said the sale held up well for one of the largest June yardings seen in a while.
Buyers from Penola, Kingston and the Upper South East which had not been seen at recent sales added to local support.
Mr Keatley said feeder steer rates were very similar to the May sale but the biggest gains were in the little heifers.
"They have been hard to shift all year but this month they could of been $100 dearer. Heifers which were making $400 last month all of a sudden were making $500," he said.
"People were looking to tuck a few away now they have some feed, there is so many options with them."