Standing out, in a yarding of 2726 head, was the quality and condition of the cattle. Many of the cows and calves, heifers, and much of the steers were in very good condition, reflecting the sudden improvement of the season.

Solid bidding for a large number of cows and calves set the sale’s pace early on. Top of the sale was two pens, sold by Elders, and offered for sale by John Hawkins, “Woolama Past Co”, Finley. Two pens, each of 17 head, were Angus heifers, 2 years, and 2^nd calved heifers all with calves, 6-12 weeks.

Selling for $2420 & $2460 respectively, really showed the strength of competition. Most cows and calves sold over $2000.

Leading the steer sale was a large consignment offered by “Mount Annan”, Holbrook. Their 158, Angus, Charolais, and Charolais cross steers ranged between 415&541 kilograms liveweight, and sold from $1270-$1500.

Teys Bros, Charlton feedlot, was a solid buyer for steers over 400kgs, the balance were purchased by local district grain and grass fatteners.

Shorthorn steers sold very well. M Halverston, “Kildrummie”, Holbrook, sold steers to $1285, as did B&D Schiller, “Tarwong”, Hay.

Agents quoted some prices 10-15c/kg lwt dearer, and while steers weighing under 400kgs were affected, lighter weight steers stole the show.

Mitchell Family farming, Talgarno, sold 28 Angus steers, 10 months, for $1090, or 371c, Bruce Waite, Dederang, 13 Angus-Hereford steers for $1125, or 365c, and most others ranged from $975-$1275, 320-360c/kg lwt.

Quality assisted some of the higher prices. “Nagnom”, Osborne’s Flat, sold 38 Charolais-Angus steers, by Rangan Charolais bulls from $1140-$1310, all over 330c/kg.

Ingomar Herefords, Merrijig, sold 22 steers, Ingomar 7 Mawarra bld, from $1235-$1355, or up to 354c/kg lwt.

One highlight of the sale was competition for 117 Hereford steer calves of Tarabah Livestock co, Mt Narra Narra Station, Holbrook. These young steers were very light, and selling from $495-$780 put them in a range of 435-550c/kg lwt.

Most of the yearling and younger heifers were in fat condition. Competition came from South Gippsland for Angus-Limousin heifers of P&A Stevenson, Tallangatta, $1145, and Angus-Hereford heifers of J&D Coy, Culcairn, $1205. These will be joined to Charolais bulls.

Nixon Partners, Mulwala, sold 22 Hereford heifers, for the sale’s top price of $1220, and at 379kgs, they equaled 322c/kg lwt.

Most heifers sold upward of 300c, and numerous others just under 300c/kg lwt.

Indara Holdings, Deniliquin, sold 33 Angus & Murray Grey heifers from $1100-$1140. 73 Shorthorn heifers of R&A Robinson “Goolgumbla”, Jerilderie, sold from $940-$1040.

Tarabah Livestock Co, sold a range of Hereford heifers. 195 yearlings sold from $800-$885, and 70 young, lightweight heifer calves from $455-$590.