WANGARATTA'S Livestock Exchange and the fortunes of local beef producers continue to go from strength to strength, with record blue ribbon weaner sales in early February seeing total turnover exceeding $13 million.

On February 2 the weaner steer sale saw $8,513,930 paid for 3752 head at an average of $2269.17, compared to last year's 3638 head fetching $6,218,498 at an average of $1708.

Friday's weaner heifer sale brought in $4,463,845 for 2142 head at an average of $2083.96 each, compared to last year's 2713 head fetching $4,191,187.50 at an average of $1545 each.

Wangaratta Livestock Exchange manager Andrea Nankervis said it was a record week for the complex.

"It was definitely the best blue ribbon week we've had, prices are skyrocketing and there were greater numbers overall," she said.

"Thank you for the vendors for supporting us and also to the agents for encouraging them to do so.

'We're hoping to keep building on this and we're very competitive in pricing.

"Our February sales always outdo the other January weaner sales and the quality is there."

February's sales follow a massive year for the exchange, with 36,219 head sold for record prices totalling just shy of $66m.

Pundits point to increasing patronage from local and district producers and buyers, on the back of continued rising prices, underwriting the importance of the industry to the local economy – largely due to the $3.7 million upgrade to deliver the state of the art facility almost five years ago.

Corcoran and Parker manager Justin Keane said Friday's sale delivered a very good yarding of 2186 quality local cattle in front of a good field of buyers.

"There were some northern buyers but in the main it was locals with a lot of farmers after heifers to join with their bulls," Mr Keane said.

"It's a big change on the last three or four years with famers looking to re–stock."

Online sales were also popular through AuctionsPlus which Mr Keane said made up around 10 per cent of sales.

Angus heifers made up to $2550 per head for Tony and Janine Simpson from Docker at 375kg per head equating to $6.80 per kilo.

"When heifers got lighter, around the 250kg they made around $8 per kilo," Mr Keane said.

He said the week's results were great news for local farmers.

"It was a very good sale and great for vendors on Wednesday and Friday who have been able to reap the rewards after three years of steady pricing," Mr Keane said.

Springhurst farmer Mark Dunne's pen of 10 Angus–Charolais weighing 446kg each was the first lot sold.

He expected the strong prices to continue and said he would be happy if they fetched $2400 per head.

He wasn't far off the mark with the hammer coming down at $2350 per head.

"That's around $5.25 per kilo which is okay; we got $5.50 per kilo for our steers on Wednesday (at Wangaratta saleyards)," Mr Dunne said.

"If anyone's complaining about the prices this week they've got rocks in their head."

Mr Dunne said that prices needed to be strong as other farm costs are rising as well.

"You still need this money because you have to replace what you sell," he said.

"Everything has gone up – chemicals for instance, last year I paid $5500 for Roundup and this year the same amount cost $15,000."

Mr Dunne said current farming conditions are good except for maybe too much rain.

"You don't really want eight inches (200mm) of rain in January," he said.

The Dunnes are regulars at the local exchange, preferring it over the Barnawartha complex.

"I've always sold my cattle here; if you've got good cattle you always get good money," he said.

"And you want to always support your locals."

Dad Brian agreed.

"It's cheaper too, and you know what the weight is when you buy them," he said.