Agent Tim Robinson, Paull and Scollard, Wodonga, said recent heavy rain had given locals confidence, with many taking the opportunity to boost their cow numbers.

“People are short on herd numbers and they are starting to take the opportunity to restock now, because if they don’t start to do something towards that and the season continues to build - the replacement females will just be so hard to get,” Mr Robinson said.

Across the 2000 head penned, the majority were presented in excellent condition, he added.

And while commission buyers battled it out with backgrounders for the steer portion of the yarding, Mr Robinson quoted heavy steers firm to a shade dearer from 180-190 cents a kilogram. Lighter cattle returned 200-230c/kg.

The heifer market saw most make 160-170c/kg, with a large contingent of the yarding snapped up by a Tasmanian buyer.