A RUSH of northern orders helped steers achieve $775 a head at the Wodonga special cattle sale Thursday.

Matt Tinkler, Elders, Albury, said competition came largely from northern areas looking to restock after the recent downpours.

“It was an outstanding yarding of 4500-5000 head,” Mr Tinkler said.

“I think the steers, especially the heavy run of steers, could have been up to $50 dearer than our sale a month earlier.”

The market top was realised by TH Matthews, Jindera, for a single pen of 18 Herefords, 453 kilograms, which sold for $775 or 171 cents a kilogram.

Mr Tinkler estimated that heavy steers sold around the 160c/kg mark or 5c dearer, while weaner types also returned solid bids from 170-190c/kg, with isolated sales of light weights to 230c.

A run of joined females struggled to capture attention and returned processor rates.

Cows and calves topped at $1130 for 7 x 7 Angus third calvers with September/October-drop calves at foot, account MH and CB Webb, Attunga, Walla Walla, NSW.

Heifers also surprised agents with a top of $645, while the first lanes returned noteworthy bids of 170-175c/kg.

* More details to come in the Stock & Land February 11 print edition.