Strong demand for the 1291 young steers and 870 heifers resulted in all classes of steers rising by $30 to $40 on the May sale.

Good runs of Angus steers sold very well at rates equivalent to $1.95-$2.25 a kilogram, depending on weight and quality.

And 18-month-old Hereford steers made up to $755 to local buyers looking to resell in spring as young bullocks.

Heifers were up $30- 40, making $450-$550 or $1.70-$2/kg.

Buying strength was mainly from the South East, Western Districts of Victoria, and Meningie, with some Mid North buyers present.

TDC Penola's Darren Maney said prices followed the dearer trend from the previous Casterton, Vic, store market, with not many steers making below $2/kg.

"The store market is reflecting the current feed situation and not the prospect of good returns in the fat market," he said.

Top price for Angus steers was paid by Landmark Mt Gambier, $730 for 14 offered by Dicker Contracting, with another four from the same vendor realising $635.

MC&JM Northcott sold six Angus-cross steers for $670 to Landmark Mt Gambier, which went on to buy the next pen of six good-frame black baldy steers for $695 offered by RB&EA Ransom.

The Northcott Family sold 12 Angus steers at $585 and 13 younger steers to Landmark at $490.

A limited number of European Union-accredited steers were offered by Isobel Downs, Western Flat, with 12 Angus going to Landmark Millicent for $620 and 20 Murray Grey-cross steers to Elders Millicent for $605.

Boosting sale numbers was volume vendor, Montara Angus, Branxholme, Vic, with 166 Lawson-blood Angus steers to $630, for 20, and 157 Lawson-blood Angus heifers topping at $480 averaging $612.77 and $453.85 respectively.

Nebnab, also hailing from the Western Districts, sold 86 Gilmour and Blackwood Park-blood Angus steers, topping at $600 with the lighter steers to $510.

A run of 40 Angus steers from Lindham Props made to $600 with the seconds $505, the same vendor also selling 55 heifers to a top of $465.

* Extract from a full report in Stock Journal, June 18 issue.