There was a huge yarding of 3501 mixed quality cattle at the Wodonga saleyards on Thursday.
Matt Tinkler, Elders Wodonga, said there was originally 2000 advertised with more than 1000 coming through in the last week as with no significant rain forecast, producers looked to sell.
Mr Tinkler said there were some very good lines of cattle, as well as some clean up lines from producers who weren't prepared to take their lesser types through summer.
He said cows and calves were scarce but there was a very good line of 10 Angus cows and calves offered by Justin Blair, Holbrook, NSW, which sold for $2020 a unit.
Heavy steers were cheaper.
He said 460kg steers were making $1300 to $1350 a head, back into the 275-280 cents a kilogram range.
"There wasn't any great numbers and there probably wasn't the feedlotters there that we've had at the last couple of sales," he said.
"Most of them would have secured their feedlot numbers leading into Christmas so there was a discount there."
He said as the cattle came back in weight to the 400kg mark, southern restockers and bullock fatteners started operating, pushing prices to 300-305c/kg.
"There was a very good lineup of Hereford yearlings led by the Red Hill chaps, weighing 441kg and going to a local Mitta Mitta Valley bullock fattener for $1320 or 299c/kg," he said.
"Quality Rangan-blood Charolais weaners ,10-11 months-old, weighing 447kg, also went to a local bullock fattener, making $1300."
He said weaner steers sold well depending on quality, with both autumn-drop and late spring-drop calves on offer, those in good condition sold from 290-315c/kg.
Heifers sold well through the heavier end, making around 260c/kg, with an operator buying for Tasmania.
However, Mr Tinkler said prices for lighter heifers, in smaller lines were definitely back.
He said 90 per cent of cattle were local, with most buyers from the south, including several from Gippsland.