The New Year cattle buying season is expected to kick-off on a strong note when the revamped feature weaner sales kick-off at the Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange at Barnawartha on January 5.
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But some producers who have traditionally sold at the Barnawartha sale have already opted to sell with 1650 head in the Alpine areas going under the hammer at Myrtleford on Thursday.
The inaugural pre-Christmas sale was conducted by Paull & Scollard Nutrien with weaner steers averaging $1650 with the top price of $1820 being achieved twice.
They were Dalbosco Investments of Murmungee for 17 head at 410kg and J & SA Carroll of Mudgegonga for 23 head at 388kg
Heifers averaged $1360 with the top price of $1695 again for Dalbosco Investments for 16 head at 370kg.
Other feature lines included KA & PG McPherson from Rosewhite (180 weaners), M P & S Antonello from Merriang (100 steers) and J & SA Carroll from Mudgegonga (80 steers).
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Cattle were purchased to Tasmania, NSW, Western Victoria, Upper Murray, King Valley and locally.
Agent Dan Ivone said the market was "very strong" with calves making up to the 550c/kg mark.
"We will make this an annual sale now," Mr Ivone said.
"What normally would have gone to Barnawartha in December-January will be sold here in Myrtleford."
After a bumper season, producers are reporting their cattle are more than 100kg heavier than usual at this time of the year.
Among those are Mick and Cindy Penny of Carinya Estate, Bandiana, who have been selling cattle at the feature Wodonga sales for 20 years.
He is preparing to sell 35 steers and 35 heifers.
"It's the best season I have had in 25 years," he said.
"We had good average rainfall this year and it fell right as we needed it, and as a result I would say the cattle are about 100kg heavier than my cattle normally are for this time of year."
Michael Unthank from Brian Unthank Rural said the four successive sales were shaping as a win-win for vendors and buyers.
"There will be plenty of competition from the active buying panel, which will be complimented with bidding on StockLive, so regardless of where you are in the country you can make a bid," he said.
"For buyers, it is the perfect opportunity to secure early-drop calves in good condition thanks to the great season we have been having.
"Cattle will have plenty of weight, which means they will also meet the requirements of lot feeders."
Elders Albury auctioneer Oliver Mason said another factor working in the Wodonga sales favour was heavy rains in the north.
"There will be plenty of weight in the yardings," he said.
"There will be some cattle 50 to 80 kilos on average heavier and these cattle could potentially be $400 or $500 per head dearer than last year or better.
"There is plenty of optimism about."
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 next 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.
