Interstate demand and support from western Victorian buyers underpinned Euroa's store cattle sale on Wednesday as light steers peaked at 584 cents a kilogram.
A strong contingent of commission buyers charged with filling orders for clients in the Western District, north-east, NSW and SA were active with only 1000 cattle on offer.
Steers 350 to 450 kilograms made 385 to 415c/kg while lighter steers 300-350kg sold between 400-450c/kg.
Weaned steers under 300kg were the choice of the market, selling 450-500c/kg on average, peaking at 584c/kg for a light 190kg pen of Angus steers.
Female cattle were also in strong demand with heifers weighing 380-420kg selling for 350-370c/kg as heifers 300-350kg ranged between 370-385c/kg, agents said.
Heifers under 300c/kg sold up to 500c/kg but averaged about 450c/kg.
Seventy buyers registered at the monthly sale in a market where a majority left the region due to available feed and water in the north.
Commission buyers including Duncan Brown, Andrew Lowe, Graeme Ward, Peter Tuohey and Garry McCorkell were present.
Nutrien Euroa branch manager Russell Mawson said strong consignments went north and west.
"We had a number go to South Australia, right through to Gundagai and north-east Victoria, Hay in the Riverina and Colac in the Western District," Mr Mawson said.
"People are wanting to come out of the woodwork, the grass demand is getting strong and the bulk of the buyers were external to our region."
The dearest pen on a cents per kilogram basis was sold by AK Brown, Terrip, for 21 Angus steers, 190kg, for $1110 or 584c/kg.
GN Gardiner, Girgarre, sold 12 eight-to-nine-month-old Angus steers, 216kg, for $1240 or 575c/kg.
Rodwells Euroa manager Scott Meehan said buyers stuck to a budget of $1000-$1200 a head, regardless of weight.
"The cattle that were 280 kilos were making $1250 and then steers a touch over 200 kilos were making $1240 and while it was only $10 difference, there was a 50 kilo weight difference," he said.
Among the top prices per head, R Pirie, Earlston, sold 14 Angus steers, 403kg, for $1550 or 384c/kg.
MJ and OJ Hill, Coonamara, Ruffy, sold 11 Angus steers, 385kg, for $1540 or 410c/kg.
Prospective buyers were able to watch the sale through a "localised" live stream which displayed vision of the mark at a central point.
Elders Euroa territory livestock sales agent Joe Allen said there was stronger influence from local restockers compared to previous store sales this year.
It comes as agents prepare for the feature end of year financial sale on June 3.
Hope Vale, Euroa, sold 16 Angus steers, 318kg, for $1420 or 446c/kg.
Watson Park, Trentham, sold 20 Angus steers, 276kg, for $1240 or 449c/kg.
Fowles Farms sold 20 Angus steers, 245kg, for $1250 or 510c/kg.
H Jennings sold eight Angus steers, 317kg, for $1350 or 425c/kg.
J Brownless, Euroa, six Hereford heifers, 333kg, for $1120 or 336c/kg.
Watson Park sold 20 Angus heifers, 321kg, for $1220 or 380c/kg.
Fingal Past Co sold 31 Angus heifers, 278kg, for $1220 or 438c/kg.
Kobyboyu sold eight Angus-cross heifers, 313kg, for $1210 or 386c/kg.
Samaria Park sold 16 Angus heifers, 313kg, for $1210 or 386c/kg.
Fowles Farms sold 20 Angus heifers, 228kg, for $1060 or 465c/kg.
Ram-it-in, Gooram, sold seven Angus cows with calves at foot for $1920.
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