A restocking surge created by a mild winter and early spring feed forced prices above 700c/kg liveweight at the Yea store cattle sale on Friday.

The small yarding of about 1500 cattle added impetus to the price hike, with Nutrien agent Austin Gerhardy quoting the rates at 60-80c/kg higher than a month ago.

Mr Gerhardy said the season had created demand.

“We had a really soft winter and a great early start to spring,” Mr Gerhardy said.

“Prices were very good today even though the quality of the cattle was mixed but we did have some nice lines too.”

The crowd included all but two of the regular feedlot buyers, but it was producer confidence that pushed up rates.

In a breakdown of the results, 400-500kg Angus steers averaged 565c/kg, 350-400kg steers 580c/kg, 300-350kg steers 630c/kg, 250-300kg steers 650c/kg and 250kg and lighter, 720c/kg and up to 776c/kg. Other steers, including Euro and British bred lines, averaged 515-550c/kg.

Mr Gerhardy said that the highlight of the sale was the quality of heavy and medium-weight heifers that sold up to 564c/kg.

At the other end of the scales, light Angus heifers averaged 590c/kg for those weighing 250kg or less, but few heifers made less than 500c/kg. He said prices improved as the market progressed, as producers looked to fill paddocks.

“If you wanted to buy Angus steers in the 250-300kg range, you would have needed 660-700c/kg,” Mr Gerhardy said.

“What we are seeing is prices respond to a lack of supply, yet in six weeks or so, we will start to see bigger yardings of true weaners coming on to the market, and some may want to wait to buy then.”