Maitland cows with calves top at $1620 a unit

All together there were 1200 cattle offered which was up about 300 head on the previous sale.

Bowe and Lidbury agent Rodney McDonald, Maitland, said overall there were a few pens of good conditioned cattle, while most of the yarding was affected by the dry conditions.

"The market trend was very good overall and buyers were mostly from the local area," Mr McDonald said.

"A few heifers were bound for Victoria, as well."

A total of 450 weaner steers from four to 11 months sold from $250 to $820 and averaged $550. Mr McDonald estimated the weaner steers were about $20 a head dearer than last sale.

The 300 weaner heifers sold from $150 to $800 and averaged $420. This was $30 a head dearer.

One hundred yearling steers, 12 to 20 months, ranged from $600 to $1080 and averaged $900, while grown steers (two to three years) sold from $800 to $1280 and averaged $1080.

Fifty joined heifers aged 16 months to two years ranged from $400 to $730 and averaged $580.

The pregnancy-tested-in-calf cows sold from $800 to $1020 a head, while joined cows were knocked down for $500 to $1260.

Cows with calves varied in age and sold from $400 to $1620 (average $1050) and demand pushed prices up about $50 a head.

The sale was conducted by Bowe and Lidbury, Maitland.