The sale was opened by Ab McAlister who noted the reputation of the cattle sales at Gundagai was well founded.

Now retired, Mr McAlister recalled his 39 years conducting the sales.

"Families which sold 80 years ago I am pleased to say are still selling here today," he said."And over the many years we have a loyal group of return buyers who know the quality of the cattle.

"The offering today is as good as anything I have seen come through the yards and a credit to the vendors."

Top price for weaner steers was $2020 paid for the line of 75 Innesdale-blood Angus eight to ten months and weighing 372kg when offered by the Falder family, Amarina Angus, Mt Horeb via Adelong.

Brett Falder, speaking for the family said it was a 'terrific price' which meant the time and money carrying their cattle through the drought years has paid off.

"We are very pleased, these sales make it all worthwhile," he said.

Other good sales of weaner steers included $1900 for 16 KO-blood Angus weighing 329kg offered by J and B Benison. Darbalara: 15 Angus weighing 300kg offered by Tumut Plains Pastoral Co, Tumut, sold for $1750 and $1710 received by Tangarang Family Trust, Coolac when they offered ten Herefords, nine to ten months and weighing 331kg.

Hillsboro Pty Ltd, Yaven Creek, sold 23 red Hicks Composite steers, nine to ten months and weighing 338kg for $1770 with a pen of 27 black Hicks Composite weighing 337kg sold for $1815 while Gundagai Bee Farms sold 11 Crawford-blood Angus, weighing 281kg for $1695..

In the pens of yearling steers , Avenix Partnership, Brungle, sold 16 Beggan Hill/Glenholme-blood Herefords weighing 462kg for $2120: Nicolls Brothers, Wandeen, sold 40 Shorthorns weighing 450kg for $2080 and Josie Holdsworth, Tumut Plains, sold 12 Reiland-blood Angus weighing 413kg for $2020 while EA Salmon, Brungle. got $1850 for 13 Hereford/Shorthorn weighing 411kg..

In the heifer pens, PA Lindley, Gundagai, sold 15 black baldies Bongongo/Yavenvale-blood and 11-12 months weighing 393kg for $1830: HT and V Sutton, Brungle sold 32 Angus, nine to ten months, weighing 295kg for $1610 and T Warren, Gundagai, received $1775 for his pen of ten Herefords weighing 361kg.

The Falder family, Amarina Angus, Mt Horeb, sold 37 Angus heifers weighing 309kg for $1700, with a second pen weighing 255kg making $1405..

Buyers from Forbes, Boorowa, Gunnedah, Gundagai and Tumut competed with very strong orders from feedlot operators.

The sale was conducted by Elders, Gundagai.