Rain inspired widespread competition at Rodwells' annual spring-drop weaner sale at Yea on Friday, where most vendors left pleased with their prices.
Tyson Bush, Rodwells, said about 30 millimetres of rain was received locally in the last 24 hours, and up to 40mm further north.
"The sale went extremely well, there's been a lot of rain in the north, so a lot of heifers went up to Hay, NSW, and a lot of steers went to Deniliquin, NSW," Mr Bush said.
"They apparently had about 70mm scattered last week and another 30mm this week, so they're really getting into them now."
He said steers sold very well and quoted prices at about 310-330 cents a kilogram, with the lighter cattle perhaps making slightly more.
Heifers, he said, were the "sale of the day", with anything with a bit of weight, about 220 kilograms and upwards, making to 330c/kg, similar to their brothers in the steer section.
Mr Bush was extremely pleased with the quality.
"All the cattle are in their working clothes at the moment because it's been so dry, but you can guarantee there's some very good breeding there," he said.
The sale was actually pushed forward three weeks.
"A lot of the vendors said they could hold on and I think they've really reaped the benefits," he said.
Agents out of Hay and Deniliquin were active, as well some feedlotters.
"In the last couple of months, we've had a good run with Tasmania and Gippsland but no cattle went south this time," he said.
"But it was predominantly restrockers today from the north that were active."
The predominantly Angus yarding of 2681 cattle was opened by a pen of 13 steers by Killara Pastoral, Boort, 338kg, which sold for $1060.
M&J Ryan, Kilmore, sold 13 at 297kg for $940, while BM&MM Griffiths, Seymour, sold 15 at 285kg for $910.
Later in the steer offering, C Spanjer, Yea, sold 18 at 255kg for $820, while Ballandry Pastoral Co, Strath Creek, sold 18 at 233kg at $695.
Kicking off the heifer portion, Killara Pastoral offered 22 at 302kg for $820, while P Comerford, Mansfield, sold 25 at 281kg for $860.