Good quality weaners were the feature of the Myrtleford annual calf sales of Elders and Landmark-Paull & Scollard on Friday.
Strong feedlot competition supported the opening pens of yearling Angus steers of Brindstock Beef, Lucyvale.
None of the cattle were weighed this year, but these 94 very good quality Angus steers, 14-16 months, were estimated to weigh from 400-450 kilograms liveweight, and sold between $1100-$1155 a head, with the last pen, which were lighter, selling for $940.
Rob Muller, Buckland Valley, takes exceptional pride in the calves he breeds; his Angus/Hereford steers and heifers, topped the autumn-drop calf prices, with the top pen of 32 steers making $1100, and his 41 top heifers making from $930-$985.
The full consignment of the Muller steers sold from a base price of $920, or an estimated 275 cents a kilogram lwt.
Most of the competition in the morning sale came from locals, and feedlot buyers, with one buyer from the Mornington Peninsula, a live export order, and a couple from Tasmania, making up the gallery.
It took over three lanes of steers before prices dropped below $900, which was a testament to the quality.
J&B Fraser, Harrietville, sold 42 Hereford steers from $1015-$1040, and Win Mapley, Eurobin, 54 Angus steers from $900-$1010.
There were a few pens of younger steers offered, S Robertson, Buffalo River, sold 39 Angus steers between $740-$865.
Competition for heifers to grain feed led to some good prices for the heavier weighted heifers.
Mr Muller sold 41 Angus/Hereford heifers from $930-$985, which equated to around 260c/kg lwt.
However, this was the only strength seen in the sale of heifers, with most others of better age and quality, selling between $650-$770.
Demand being very quiet, the younger heifers sold mostly from $400-$640, with a good number heading to South Australia, to background for future grain feeding.
The Elders sale followed the earlier sale.
This started on a few pens of yearling steers, of mixed weights.
Moore Pastoral, Buffalo River, sold yearling steers form $925-$1080.
Other lighter, plainer yearlings sold from $795-$990.
B&M Goldsworthy, Eurobin, sold their top pen of Hereford steers, 11-12 months, for $1170; this pen was awarded the best presented award, weighing in at 455kg.
Leonard Ryan, Cheshunt, sold 38 Hereford steers from $580-$875, and G&J Chalwell, Bowmans Forest, sold 64 spring-drop calves, from $510-$640.
Heifers sold to $795.