WANGARATTA Livestock Exchange held it's monthly store sale last Thursday with a bumper total of 1342 cattle penned on the day.

Prices overall remained similar to those at the Gordon Sinclair Memorial Weaner Sale last month.

Local cattle producers said current conditions in paddocks still remain poor in some cases as the dry trend continues after a dry autumn and winter periods.

Some farmers remain hesitant to where the market will head leading into the warmer months, questioning whether significant rain will fall or not.

Corcoran Parker livestock agent Reiley Murtagh said Thursday's store sale overall rated fair, although there were some pens that pushed prices up to maintain confidence in the market.

“The overall sale was fair to good with a mixed result of cattle when it came to condition,” he said.

“Condition did vary from pen to pen as a result of paddock conditions for each vendor.

“Prices were strong enough to maintain confidence in the market as many of the cattle stayed local, along with new buyers coming into the market, which was positive knowing there is plenty of local support.

“Feeder cattle were the top sellers on the day with strong results that were the highlight drawing in solid interest from multiple buyers.

“The spring season is still an unknown for many producers, while the weather is warming up and grass is growing, we really need rain to fall, which will have a positive impact leading into the latter part of the year for the market.”

Prices on the day saw Angus cattle 300kg at $4.30/kg, Angus steers 200-250kg at $4.65/kg, lighter Angus steers 150kg at $5.00/kg, Hereford steers 320kg at $3.30/kg, lighter Hereford's 180kg at $4.20/kg, Euro cattle 330kg at $1180 and Euro cattle 370kg at $1275.

Moyhu cattle producer Alan Sampson, who has been on the land for over 50 years on his 400 acre property as a third generation farmer, presented 15 heifers at the sale.

“Overall I was pleased with the sale of my heifers considering the status of the market and look forward to seeing better movement in pricing in the coming months,” he said.

Like many local cattle producers, Mr Sampson said despite the great response at last month's Gordon Sinclair Blue Ribbon Sale, the struggle is still very real with the current condition in paddocks reflecting a poor autumn and a drier than usual winter that is still putting pressure on farmers.

“Drier conditions are keeping prices down due to a lack of feed in paddocks and weight of cattle being down in some cases,” he said.

“The cattle presented today did reflect in pricing because of conditions in paddocks which did keep prices down and were not as solid as last month’s blue ribbon weaner sale.

“The grass is starting to come through now, the days are slightly longer and temperatures are climbing which should see things improve in the coming weeks providing we see some rain."