Wodonga's January feature weaner sales will be compressed into four successive days from next year.
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Albury-Wodonga Stock Agents Association has ticked off on the revamped schedule at the North-Barnawartha saleyards and they will kick-off on January 5 and conclude January 8 with a sale also slotted in at Wangaratta on January 6.
Previously the much-anticipated sales have been held over two weeks.
But the shorter sale timeframe could translate into even more buyers coming from up north after a year in which the drought has broken in many places and demand for cattle remains strong.
"We're just making it a bit easier for all concerned," association president Peter Ruaro said.
"A four-day event should become a real drawcard with the volume on offer and give everyone a chance to have a decent crack.
"There are a lot of new faces who turn up here every year and want to buy their own cattle."
The dates reshuffle puts the North-East head-to-head with the Hamilton series of sales in western Victoria.
The region was still in drought 12 months ago numbers with Wodonga sale numbers well down on previous years.
But the situation was made worse when the Upper Murray bushfires started before New Year which created headaches in transporting stock out of the area.
Also, last year's sales coincided with scorching summer temperatures.
"If we can end up with between 12,000 and 13,000 cattle over the four days we will be doing pretty well," Mr Ruaro said.
Elders and Nutrien will kick-off with their Angus and grown steer sale on January 5 with independent agents, PRL-Rodwells, Brian Unthank Rural, Corcoran Parker and Schubert Boers, doing likewise the following day.
Elders and Nutrien will hold their coloured cattle sale on January 7 with independent agents following suit the next day.
The Wangaratta sale will be held on the Wednesday and attract producers from the Myrtleford, Benalla and Mansfield areas rather than sending their cattle to North Barnawartha.
Albury-based commission buyer Graeme Ward said the changes were worth trying.
"There is still a good demand for cattle and while it is like that you might as well go with it," he said.
"Every cattle sale you go to these days is very strong.
"The market is so good people aren't inclined to sit back and wait.
"They want the momentum to keep going, but bushfires and some really hot weather in January could dampen the enthusiasm a little bit."
COVID restrictions have eased at the North Barnawartha complex in recent times with the improving virus situation in Victoria.
