Glenthompson mixed farmer Andrew McNaughton paid the top price $558 for 80 of the spring-drop steers, estimated to weigh about 230 kilograms liveweight.

“It’s a big line of good genetics cattle,” he said.

The first-time buyer of the cattle had changed from fine wool to prime lamb production and with fewer sheep but more ewes, the steers would suit his farm’s pasture availability. Mr McNaughton hoped to turn the steers off into a feedlot in late spring.

Most other steers in the sale sold from $300-$530 with 394 steers averaging $474.

This was $20-$30 a head above expectations with most of the first run of steers selling from 240-250 cents a kilogram liveweight, Ross Bowen of selling agents Saffin Kerr Bowen Wilson said. Some lighter steers were estimated to have sold for up to 265 cents a kilogram.