Feedlot operators and processors saw prices remain firm at the Kyneton monthly store market, but continuing dry conditions meant local producers stayed away.
Agents said at least three major processors, as well as smaller feedlots, were active on the yarding of about 840 cattle.
John Robson, Landmark Dwyer, said he felt the sale was similar to that of a month ago.
"The big cattle, with a bit of condition, sold very well," Mr Robson said.
"It started to get tough on the lighter cattle, with less condition, and the cow and calf job was very tough because no one can feed them."
He said the best steers sold to just above 300 cents a kilogram.
Among the better sales were 11 Angus and Angus-cross steers, offered by Mark Andrews, Bendigo, which made $1230 a head, or 303c/kg.
Joanna Hale sold 19 "beautifully-bred", Lawson-blood Angus heifers for $660.
They averaged 273kg and made 241c/kg.
John Fuljek sold four Angus steers for $1240, or 293c/kg, while P Mudford offered 17, 12-14 month-old Angus steers, averaging 377kg.
The steers made $1080, or 286c/kg.
Ward Farming sold four 11 month-old Charolais/Angus-cross heifers for $1010, or 272c/kg.
He said local producers had turned off a significant amount of 220-280kg cattle.
"We have had a lot of calves come off, that would not have come off this early, as people are looking after their cows," he said.
"The cattle with a bit of weight had good competition from the feedlots, but there was not much local demand, due to the lack of feed.
"We have just got nothing around here, so we have very little demand from local blokes."
The Barro Group made $730 for nine mixed-aged Poll Hereford cows, with six to eight week-old Poll Hereford calves at foot.
Kieran Mcgrath, McGrath Rodwell Livestock, said any cattle with a bit of shape and weight of more than 340kg sold to good competition from feedlots and processors.
"Westside, Hardwicks and Highland Meats all bought for processing and backgrounding," Mr McGrath said.
"Given the very dry area and dwindling feed, there is no paddock feed in the district, I thought we got out of it pretty well."
He said no rain in the next month would see another significant exodus of cattle.
"There's been rain in NSW and Queensland, which is certainly going to help them up there," he said.
"It might bring a bit of activity down south, particularly on the smaller cattle, which are very good buying at the moment."
He said Brian Milton, Elphinstone, sold seven 16-17 month-old Belgian Blue steers, averaging 550kg, for $1420, or 258c/kg.
Colin Pickering, Harcourt, sold eight 511kg Angus steers for $1470, or 287c/kg, while N&J McEwen, Jeffcott, sold a line of 10 Charolais-cross weaner steers, averaging 350kg, for $950, or 271c/kg.
The family's 12 heifers, averaging 370kg, sold for $1020, or 275c/kg.
C&L Lavender's 22 Angus heifers, with 22 calves at foot by an Angus bull, sold for $620-$750.
"They were very, very good buying if you can feed them," Mr McGrath said.
Dean Coxon, Elders, said cattle weighing 300kg or higher sold very well.
"Anything under that got very, very tough," Mr Coxon said.
"Everyone has to feed hay, so the older cattle presented pretty well, but some of those late spring-drop calves, around 250kg, were pretty low."
M Crump sold 11 Angus steers, averaging 426kg, for $1300, or 305c/kg, while six of his heifers, 442kg, sold for $1200, or 271c/kg.
Other lines to sell well were Springbank's seven Angus heifers, averaging 377kg, which made $1030, or 273c/kg,
Philora sold three Murray Grey heifers, averaging 501kg, for $1390, or 277c/kg, while J Tully offered 17 Angus heifers, averaging 275kg, which sold for $700, or 254c/kg.
Feedlot operators and processors saw prices remain firm at the Kyneton monthly store market, but continuing dry conditions meant local producers stayed away.
Agents said at least three major processors, as well as smaller feedlots, were active on the yarding of about 840 cattle.
Landmark Dwyer's John Robson said he felt the sale was similar to that of a month ago.
"The big cattle, with a bit of condition, sold very well," Mr Robson said.
"It started to get tough on the lighter cattle, with less condition, and the cow and calf job was very tough because no-one can feed them."
He said the best steers sold to just above 300cents/kilogram.
Among the better sales were 11 Angus and Angus cross steers, offered by Mark Andrews, Bendigo, which made $1230, or 303c/kg.
Joanna Hale sold 19 "beautifully bred" Lawson blood Angus heifers for $660.
They averaged 273kg and made 241c/kg.
John Fuljek sold four Angus steers for $1240, or 293c/kg, while P Mudford offered 17, 12-14-month-old Angus steers, averaging 377kg.
The steers made $1080, or 286c/kg.
Ward Farming sold four, 11-month-old Charolais-Angus cross heifers for $1010, or 272c/kg.
He said local producers had turned off a significant amount of 220-280kg cattle.
"We have had a lot of calves come off, that would not have come off this early, as people are looking after their cows.
"The cattle with a bit of weight had good competition from the feedlots, but there was not much local demand, due to the lack of feed.
"We have just got nothing around here, so we have very little demand from local blokes."
The Barro Group made $730 for nine mixed ages Poll Hereford cows, with six to eight week old Poll Hereford calves at foot.
McGrath Rodwell Livestock's Kieran Mcgrath said any cattle with a bit of shape and weights of more than 340kg sold to good competition from feedlots and processors.
"Westside, Hardwicks and Highland Meats all bought for processing and backgrounding," Mr McGrath said.
"Given the very dry area and dwindling feed - there is no paddock feed in the district - I thought we got out of it pretty well."
He said no rain in the next month would see another significant exodus of cattle.
"There's been rain in NSW and Queensland, which is certainly going to help them up there.
"It might bring a bit of activity down south, particularly on the smaller cattle, which are very good buying, at the moment."
He said Brian Milton, Elphinstone, sold seven, 16-17-month-old Belgian Blue steers, averaging 550k, for $1420, or 258c/kg.
Colin Pickering, Harcourt, sold eight, 511kg Angus steers for $1470, or 287c/kg, while N&J McEwen, Jeffcott, sold a line of 10 Charolais cross weaner steers, averaging 350kg, for $950, or 271c/kg.
The family's 12 heifers, averaging 370kg, sold for $1020, or 275c/kg.
C&L Lavender's 22 Angus heifers, with 22 calves at foot by an Angus bull, sold for $620-$750
"They were very, very good buying if you can feed them," Mr McGrath said.
Elders' Dean Coxon said cattle weighing 300kg, or better, sold very well.
"Anything under that got very, very tough," Mr Coxon said.
"Everyone has to feed hay, so the older cattle presented pretty well, but some of those late spring drop calves, around 250kg, were pretty low."
M Crump sold 11 Angus steers, averaging 426kg, for $1300, or 305c/kg, while six of his heifers, 442kg, sold for $1200, or 271c/kg.
Other lines to sell well were Springbank's seven Angus heifers, averaging 377kg, which made $1030, or 273c/kg,
Philora sold three Murray Grey heifers, averaging 501kg, for $1390, or 277c/kg, while J Tully offered 17 Angus heifers, averaging 275kg, which sold for $700, or 254c/kg.