SE steers peak at $1390

The yarding of 1985 head was sold across Amherst and Moville properties, where steers sold to $1390 and heifers to $1310.

Spence Dix and Co director Jono Spence said the prices reflected confidence in the cattle industry.

"Prices were up on the last sale in 2017. It far exceeded the expectations of everyone involved," he said.

"There is quite a obvious and predicted shortage of cattle next year and strong world meat prices, so I would say that helped the sale."

The first pens under the hammer were at Amherst, with the sale's steer section topping at $1390 or $3.46 a kilogram, for a run of 48 February/April-drops.

The steers, weighing 401kg, sold to Chris Penny, Mount Gambier, through Creek Livestock, Mount Gambier.

Miller Whan & John Mount Gambier bought 23 February/April-drop Amherst steers that weighed 368kg for $1320 or $3.58/kg.

Guest vendor Black Range, Willalooka, sold 26 March-April-drops, weighing 375kg, for $1300 or $3.46/kg to Spence Dix & Co Keith's Craig Escott.

The same buyer also paid the $1310 or $3.76/kg top price in the heifer section offered at Moville, for 30 March/April-drops from Josh and Jaime Densely, Black Range, Keith.

Mr Escott bought another pen of 31 heifers that weighed 295kg for $1010 or $3.42/kg.

Everett and Seeley Livestock, Cranbourne, Vic, bought 26 Black Range steers, weighing 343kg, for $1220 or $3.55/kg.

Guest vendor Rockalen Pastoral Co, Willalooka, sold 26 March/April-drop Angus steers at Amherst that weighed 370kg for $1230 or $3.32/kg to Creek Livestock, Mount Gambier.

Interstate buyers also competed strongly, with Schubert Boers, Albury, NSW, taking home 33 March/April-drop Rockalen steers that weighed 326kg for $1190 or $3.65/kg.

JM Ellis & Co, Hamilton, Vic, bought 34 March/April-drops, 289kg, for $1110 or $3.84/kg.

Guest vendor Lines Family Trust, Keith, sold 30 February/March-drop Angus steers that weighed 341kg for $1190 or $3.48/kg and a further 30 steers, 296kg, for $1090 or $3.68/kg, to Merrett Livestock's Owen Merrett, Penola.

At Moville, guest vendor Bergan Park, Keith, offered 16 February/March-drop Angus-cross steers, 354kg, for $1280 or $3.61/kg that were sold to Schubert Boers.

They also made $1200 or $3.68/kg for 25 February/March-drop Angus-cross steers, 326kg, that were sold to Merrett Livestock.

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Guest vendor WR&EM Jackson, Yardookra, made $1230 or $3.45/kg for 26 February/April-drop Angus steers, 356kg, that were sold to Creek Livestock, Mount Gambier.

Merrett Livestock bought 28 steers, 310kg, for $1100 or $3.54/kg.

Schubert Boers secured the first four pens offered at Moville.

The first two pens made $1250 or $3.59/kg for 50 February/April-drop Angus-Black Simmental steers that weighed 348kg.

A further 50 Angus-Black Simmental steers, 345kg, were bought for $1280 or $3.71/kg.

After the heifer section topped at $1310 for a run from Black Range, Bergan Park's 23 February/March-drop Angus-cross heifers, 346kg, made $1120 or $3.23/kg.

WR&EM Jackson sold 31 heifers, 310kg, for $1120 or $3.61/kg to Thomas De Garis & Clarkson, Keith.

The sale was conducted by Spence Dix & Co with Jono Spence auctioneering.