South Gippsland bullock finishers took home a bulk of the cattle on offer at Friday's annual Landmark Greenwood feature autumn sale.
About 1000 cattle were yarded from across the region, many returning from agistment due to the drought.
Landmark Greenwood auctioneer Ben Greenwood said vendors were rewarded for their efforts, particularly those forced to hand-feed in the drier months.
"Vendors did exceptionally well to hold their cattle through such a tough season but with the early autumn and the rainfall it really freshened the cattle in time for the sale," Mr Greenwood said.
"We were expecting a good sale but it went above what we expected which is great for our vendors after two very hard years with the drought."
The sale featured well-bred lines of annual drafts as grown steers made between 400-411c/kg while lighter, 10-12-month-old weaner steers made from 410-465c/kg.
Steers under 300kg made up to 500c/kg as heifers ranged from 340-400c/kg.
"We were well represented by South Gippsland bullock finishers and we had a handful of feedlots operating as well, active on the heifers, but predominately steers were bought by grass finishers," Mr Greenwood said.
Kevin Garrett, Annsfield, Rosedale, sold a draft of 85 steers to a top of $1785, ranging from 402c/kg-417c/kg.
Manyara Springs, Willung, sold 65 grown steers to a top of $1750 and averaged 400c/kg.
RAJ Crooke, Holey Plains, sold 30 steers to a top pen $1595 ranging from 400-411c/kg.
In the weaner steers, GJ and LA Dunsmurie, Briagolong, sold 12 steers, 427kg, for $1690 or 395c/kg.
R and K Telling, Woodside, sold 15 steers, 418kg, for $1720 or 411c/kg and a second pen, 390kg, for $1695 or 434c/kg.
Denise Willox, Briagolong, sold 15 Angus steers, 376kg, for $1570 or 417c/kg..
Sam Brooker, Stradbroke, sold 20 steers, 345kg, $1540 or 446c/kg.
TJ and EM Higgins, Dawson, sold 14 steers, 306kg, for $1380 or 450c/kg.
AJ Higgins, Dawson, sold 17 steers, 275kg, for $1365 or 496c/kg.
In the heifers, D and A Andrews, Longford, sold six Herefords, 423kg, for $1520 or 359c/kg.
R and E Newnham, Longford, sold 13 Black Baldy heifers, 373kg, for $1400 or 375c/kg.
Manyara Springs, Willung, sold a pen of 16-month-old heifers, 332kg, for $1170 or 352c/kg.
Manyara Springs also sold 10 11-month-old heifers, 364kg, for $1320 or 362c/kg.
EN and DS Anderson, Rosedale, sold 10 heifers, 293kg, at $1095 or 373c/kg.
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