THE Blue Ribbon Feature Cattle Sales in Wangaratta totalled $9 million in turnover over the Wednesday's and Friday's weaner steer and heifer sales, which saw nearly more than 6000 head of cattle auctioned.
On Friday 2211 heifers were yarded, with the top pen making $1940, for an overall average of $1347 a head, bringing a $2.9m gross turnover.
Previously on Wednesday 3855 steers went under the hammer, with the top pen making $2060, for an overall average of $1584 a head, and a $6.1m total.
The 2022 comparison had $8.5m paid for 3752 head of steers at an average of $2269, while last year the heifers reaped $4.4m for 2142 head at an average of $2083.
Friday's best presented pen was AG & JE Simpson of Docker, with their 20 Angus heifers weighing 377kg, selling for $1935.
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Wednesday's best presented pen went to Kenya Pastoral with their 36 Angus steers, weighing 373kg, sold for $1780.
This year's $9m turnover was down on the 2022 figure of $13m, however, Wangaratta's sales still brought in some of the best price per kilo results in the current market across the region.
Livestock agent Reiley Murtagh from Corcoran and Parker said the reliability and popularity for producers of the Blue Ribbon Feature Sales at this time of year contributes to some of the highest prices in the region.
"The sales went as expected, and compared to the previous sales that have been around the region over the last couple of weeks, Wangaratta's Blue Ribbon was still a standout," he said.
"It's a renowned sale, a lot of our breeders from our area hold their cattle and just purely aim for the Blue Ribbon sale.
"Growers like the Simpsons have been breeding cattle for a number of years; they buy very good genetics and keep that running through their herd.
"There's still definitely confidence in the market, with people really looking in to buy a lot of cattle.
"You've got every Tom, Dick and Harry coming from everywhere to come and buy these good cattle."
Mr Murtagh expects the market to remain stable, despite uncertainty about an autumn break next month.
"I think you can see it remaining pretty steady, this rain isn't going to do a whole heap in our region just yet," he said.
"Potentially if it comes in dry it can slip it back going into the colder months, but I'd say it will stay relatively steady where it is."
