A TOTAL 3500 weaners were offered three weeks earlier than usual, due to dry seasonal conditions on the Monaro, at the Cooma Special Weaner Sale last Friday.
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The quality of the predominantly Angus, Hereford and their crosses yarding was relatively lighter in comparison to the previous year due to the harsh summer.
But the heavier end of the genuine calves held their own, egged on by the buyer rivalry from Wodonga, Dubbo as well as local interest.
Yearling steers sold from $510 to $780 while steer calves ranged from $250 to $665.
The yearling heifers made $350 to $480 and the heifer calves sold from $150 to $340.
Monaro Livestock and Property principal Will Dixon, Cooma, said he expected the lower than average prices the sale produced.
"The lighter end of the sale, anything under 220 kilograms and below was always going to be tough," he said.
"The fluctuating result was definitely quality related and the poorer quality were passed in.
"The heifers were much tougher to sell all day regardless of the weight range."
The top price of the day came from Peter Knox, "Karinya", Bombala, who sold 16 Hereford-cross steers for $780.
I.A. McGufficke, Jindabyne, sold 12 Angus steers for $760 while Bill Brewis and Sarah Woodhouse, "Murranumble", Dalgety, sold 20 Angus yearling steers to a top of $670.
A quality line of 32 autumn-drop Angus steers from F.N.L Glen Miln, Jindabyne, made $665 while 34 Angus steers from Glenriver Pastoral Company, Delgate, made $652.
Elders Cooma agent Rob Nicholl said the sale result was well down on last year's figures.
"The heavier steers sold well, but the lighter end proved a lot softer selling," he said.
"The heifer market was also very soft, it was well back on last year."
The best of the yearling heifers were sold by MJ Miners, Dalgety, who sold 16 one-year-old Angus-cross heifers for $485, while Rodney and Gloria Mugridge, Dalgety, sold a pen of yearling Angus heifers for $480.
Tallowang Partners, Braidwood, sold a big run of Angus yearling heifers from $350 to $430.