The stawell-based farmer dispersed his entire 200-head Mt Dryden Angus and black baldy cow and heifer herd, pregnancy-tested-in-calf to Mountain View bulls, at the store market after 20 years of breeding.

He revealed the draft’s top result of $1140 a head was great and would allow him and his wife Judy to hit the road for a honeymoon sequel around Australia.

“I’ll be wearing out the caravan now,” Mr McPhee said.

The sale, however, was the end of an era for the farmer, who said he was “very emotional” after loading his black baldies on the truck the previous night.

Overall agents yarded 2565-head, which sold to firm demand.

“The rain in the north helped prices - along with the recent 10-15 cents a kilogram lift in the fat job. It’s just put everyone in a positive frame of mind and given buyers a bit of confidence,” Elders auctioneer Jarrod Blandford reported.

Commission buyers Jimmy Matthews, Dennis Henderson and Duncan Brown filled Northern orders and battled it out with local restockers, while Gippsland and T and R Pastoral snapped up the heavier cattle.

Mick Madden, Charles Stewart Ballarat, said 550 kilogram-plus steers had been absent from the saleyards for a while, but made a triumphant return to peak at $950. He quoted the heavier steers from 180-190c/kg.

In the steer weaner section prices were quoted to 200c/kg, while most light weights made 190-210c and some exceptional sales to 265c. Mr Blandford said lighter weight cattle sold 10-15c/kg above expectations.

In the heavy heifer pens, a pen of 14 Angus, 450kg, account R and J Morrish, topped at $750 or 166c/kg, while the vendors seconds made $686. Both lots were secured by Wahroonga Feedlot.

Mr Madden said feedlots and butchers were active on the heavier heifers, while many smaller heifers filled Northern orders and sold to 200c/kg.

*Full report in Thursday's Stock & Land.