Leongatha's store sale resumed on Thursday in front of a small gallery of buyers two weeks after agents postponed the March sale due to COVID-19 concerns.
A handful of commission buyers, feedlot operators and agents - enlisted to buy cattle for local restockers - were among the purchasers as primary producers were encouraged to steer clear.
More than 1400 cattle were offered as social distancing measures were implemented to reduce the risk of close contact.
Alex Scott & Staff livestock manager Rob Ould said people were understanding of the situation.
"There were no problems and there was no conflict and people were very tolerant considering we're heading into uncharted waters," Mr Ould said.
Several feedlots operated throughout the sale with representation from Elders Deniliquin buying on behalf of Australian Foods, commission buyer Campbell Ross and Westside Meats buyer Anthony Hullick bolstering competition.
Heavier steers and heifers were purchased mainly by feedlots while lighter steers were absorbed by local agents, agents said.
"Most of the weaner steers were $1100-1300 and the heavier steers were 380 cents a kilogram to 400c/kg while heifers ranged from 330c/kg-360c/kg on average," Mr Ould said.
The sale was difficult to compare to the previous sale a month ago following the cancellation of the second March market, however, agents were pleased with the results.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Leongatha livestock manager Brian McCormack said the sale was above expectations.
"Everyone is a bit worried with the virus and it was the first sale under the new protocol but it went really well," Mr McCormack said.
Restockers who intended to buy more than one pen of cattle were allowed to remain at the market while graziers who had their eyes on one pen or a few head were asked to leave an order with an agent.
Mr McCormack said the sale was comparatively similar to the first March sale.
"Perhaps it might not have been as strong but cattle were still making 400c/kg or more," he said.
Earlier in the month, agents capped the sale at 2000 head to ensure the market would run run smoothly during the coronavirus crisis.
SEJ Leongatha livestock manager James Kyle said people were optimistic before the sale despite the reduced yarding and limited buying fraternity.
"Between Elders and [commission buyer] Campbell Ross, they really put a floor the better end of the feeder market for steers and that was the same for heifers as well," Mr Kyle said.
"The highlight was vendor-bred cattle which made a premium given there was a few orders floating around for those suitable lines of stock."
J Milenberg sold a pen of Angus steers, 528kg, for $1900 or 359c/kg.
G Lawson sold eight Angus steers, 402kg, for $1460 or 363c/kg.
Roopacorp sold 13 Angus steers, 376kg, for $1440 or 383c/kg.
S Fairbrother sold 10 Angus steers, 366kg, for $1410 or 385c/kg.
M Romano sold 10 Angus steers, 358kg, for $1410 or 394c/kg.
S Cructhfield, sold 12 Angus steers, 565kg, for $1990 or 352c/kg.
AJ and GL Campbell, sold 12 Angus steers, 440kg, $1650 or 375c/kg.
Richards and Rae sold a pen of Angus steer weaners, 290kg, for $1280 or 441c/kg.
M Berry sold 24 Angus steers, 287kg, for $1205 or 420c/kg.
In the heifers, Hengstberger and Lloyd sold 12 Hereford females, 396kg, for $130 or 330c/kg.
They also sold a pen of 20 Angus/Black Baldy heifers, 378kg, for $1300 or 343c/kg.
D McAinch sold 11 Hereford heifers, 343kg, for $1080 or 314c/kg.
R and L Whittaker sold nine Angus heifers, 297kg, for $1060 or 356c/kg.
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