The 78th annual weaner cattle sale at Gundagai saw 1600 very good quality stock yarded, a drop of 1200 on last year.
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Introducing the sale, Ab McAlister said many of the calves normally offered had been sold due to tough seasonal conditions.
"Nevertheless, the calves here today are in very good condition and show the depth of their breeding," he said.
The yarding was dominated by black cattle with only a few pens of Herefords and European breeds on offer.
The steers ranged in value from $1120 to $760 while the offering of heifers sold to $860.
Topping the sale were the 12 Angus and black baldy steers 12 month-old and estimated to weigh 360kg offered by Kevin Cotterill, Gundagai.
Other good sales of steers included 16 Angus 12 month-old sold by M Bodleau for $1100 and Sutton and O'Brien Partnership who sold 22 ten month-old Angus, Bongongo- and Reiland-blood for $1000.
Further sales of steers included 27 Reiland-blood Angus offered by T.E.F and C.H Hughes and sold for $850, G.H Harris and Son, Coolac received $970 for their 20 Bongongo-blood Angus and Jeremiah Past Co sold 19 black baldies for $850.
Among the Hereford pens, K.N and D.J Cotterill sold eight for $1050, Avenix Pastoral Co recieved $990 for thier pen of 16 Beggan Hill-blood steers and G.D and M.A Larsen sold 22 for $840.
In the offering of heifers, A.W and F.M Nicholls sold 21 Bongongo- and Reiland-blood Angus for $860, while G.D and M.A Larsen sold 22 Herefords for $735 and Sutton and O'Brien Partnership sold 16 Bongongo- and Reiland-blood Angus for $660.
Reflecting on the sale, Elders Gundagai agent Jake Smith considered it a very solid market and especially for the lighter weights.
"When it came to the younger cattle the cents per kilogram basis was very strong ... it just kept climbing," he said.
But it was cheaper for the heavier end of the black heifers
- Jake Smith
Mr Smith reported a very good line of Herefords were presented and perhaps the best he has seen for some time.
"Vendors presented their cattle to the best of their ability through a very trying period," he said.
There was very strong inquiry from feedlot operators and local restockers who competed with successful buyers from Cootamundra, Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Young, Narrandera and Boorowa.
Elders Gundagai conducted the sale.