AFTER a six-month hiatus, the Strathalbyn store cattle market returned strongly on Friday, with prices much "better than expected".
Elders Strathalbyn branch manager Danny Reynolds said the quality of the yarding was "very good", with cattle brought in from local Hills and Fleurieu producers, Kangaroo Island and the Mid North.
"From the start, competition was very strong, being 20 cents a kilogram to 30c/kg better than expectation," he said.
Mr Reynolds quotes steers from $2.71/kg to $3.55/kg.
Top honours of $1000 a head was paid to Muster Enterprises, Lobethal, for 11 Angus steers, weighing 281kg.
Muster Enterprises also received the sale top of $1725 for six Angus cows with calves at-foot.
In the first pens of the sale, BD&CA Hughes, Highbury, received the sale's top steer prices per head, making $1230 for 13 Angus-cross steers, while a second pen of 12 made $1200.
M McCallum, Milang, also reached $1230 for 10 Angus-cross steers or $2.94/kg, while CJ&KM Stapleton, KI, sold 10 Angus steers at $1210 or $3.02/kg.
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In the heifer section, Mr Reynolds said producers again received strong prices, from $2.46-$2.97/kg.
RM&LM Couchman, Kingscote, sold five Angus heifers, 235kg, at $700 to receive the $2.97/kg top, while BL&HL Field, Inman Valley, sold 16 Murray Grey heifers at $890 and another 17 at $770.
Pollitt & Gray, Mount Pleasant, sold eight Shorthorn heifers at $885 or $2.41/kg, while Raeburn Rural, Goolwa, sold 12 Angus heifers at $610 or $2.63/kg.
A quality line of 14 Coolana-blood Angus heifers, PTIC to a Pathfinder bull, from SA&C Ollett, Murray Bridge, made $1600, while FJ&KJ Smith, Highland Valley, sold seven Angus cows with CAF at $1500.
Buyer support came from locals, Spence Dix & Co Keith, Elders Coonalpyn and Strathalbyn, Landmark Casterton and one producer from KI very strong on quality heifers.
The next sale will be held on December 13.
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