Powerful online bidding boosted prices at Kempsey's feature weaner sale with an average for both heifers and steers fetching 405 cents a kilogram.
There were 1100 weaners on offer with a strong line up of buyers at the sale in addition to 20 online registered bidders. Weaner steers average 424c/kg while heifers averaged 374c/kg.
Kempsey Stock and Land's agent Laurie Argue said the sale had been bolstered by "online bidding power" with the addition of Elite Livestock Auctions due to COVID-19.
"We still had regular buyers but due to the coronavirus restrictions we gave buyers an online options," Mr Argue said.
There were 20 registered buyers with 20 per cent of the offering online bids and 14 pens sold to online buyers. At the same time there were 153 viewers recorded.
"It's the second time we have done it so it might be an option we look at in the future especially with these restrictions," he said.
John Small from Warbro topped the steer section with a red baldy steer making $1438 while the Robinson family from Coffs Harbour topped the heifers with five Charolais heifers making $1354.
Other highlights included a pen of 23 Angus steers sold by Raymond and Robyn Clarke purchased by Elders Guyra, weighing 240kg, made 454c/kg, returning $1089.
Diane Latham from Glenrock, Kempsey sold nine black baldy steers weighing 286kg for 446c/kg to return $1275 while Killuke Pastoral from Crescent Head sold 11 Angus calves, weighing 161kg for 438c/kg returning $705.
Robert Johnston from Taylors Arm sold 10 Angus heifers, 274kg for 402c/kg ($1101) while Jenny Jones from Austral Eden sold 19 Charolais heifers, 257kg for 420c/kg returning $1081. Also, the brothers weighing 280kg made 428c/kg ($1200) and went to Tamworth through Garvin and Cousens.
The Ruprecht family sold 10 Limousin/Angus heifers weighing 188kg, which made 384c/kg or $721.
Mr Argue said the overall quality of the cattle from the top end of the market right to bottom was high considering the seasonal conditions had only turned around in the last three months.
- Kempsey Stock and Land's next sale will be held on April 7.