A COVID-19 restricted yarding of under 600 store cattle came forward to the Echuca & District Livestock on Monday.
The first sale at the centre since the coronavirus outbreak and restrictions were imposed, was conducted under strict Covid-19 rules with vendors excluded and buyers only allowed.
Matt O'Connor, Elders, Echuca, said it was a strong sale with steers making from low 400c/kg to loe 500c/kg.
He said buying power came from the North-east, the western district, the odd pen went to a Yass, NSW order, Swan Hill and good local support.
The good local season had "underpinned the job a bit".
"They are cautious. They have sold cattle for good money but they are aware the job could come back," he said.
"There's certainly optimism out there but people are treading carefully."
Mr O'Connor said that again there was no irrigation water allocation for north of the river.
He said stock might be required to feed off crops if spring rains fail.
He said a pen of 10 Hereford steers, sold account C & L Oliver, 8-10 months, weighing 306kg sold for $1300 or 424c/kg. The seconds of the line weighing about 265kg made $1210 or around 456c/kg.
A line of Brahman/Charolais-cross heifers, 200 to 210kg sold for $875 sold account Marchietti.
Nutrien Ag's Lachie Collins quoted a line of Angus heifers, two-years, due to calve September onwards, sold for $1800.
He said dairy-cross cattle made 400-500c/kg on weights of 150kg to 250kg.
Brock Fletcher, Charles King & Co, said Angus heifers PTIC for five to eight months, made $1860.
He said a pen of Limousin-cross calves out of F1 cows, weighing around 300kg, sold for $1270.
Light calves weighing 75kg and 100kg sold to $450 and $610 a head respectively, he said.
Neil Maddison from Maddison Livestock said the centre's fortnightly prime sale had handled some of the cattle during the break.
Mr Maddison said the season had started exceptionally well, some saying the best in 50 year.
He said the sale in a month should attract cattle.
"We could have had more this month. By next month the smaller, local, buyers will be more aware of the needs of buying under the new rules," he said.
