God bless last week's rain!
That was the most relevant response to yesterday's massive 5000 head store cattle sale at Wodonga where more than 70pc of the yarding spilled out of the worst drought-affected areas of the Riverina.
And the reason for the Godly blessing was the mere fact the market fetched near equal prices to the previous Wodonga sale of a fortnight ago as local buyers, after solid weekend rain, absorbed almost the entire yarding into the nearby northeast Victorian foothills.
A hint of northern NSW inquiry was also received, along with some buying from Gippsland and South Australia.
Several Victorian processor and feedlot orders also claimed suitable pens.
Some results drawn from the sale revealed heavy Murray Grey steers, 450kg, bought by the butchers, topped the market at $820, while Angus steers, 428kg, made $800.
Other lines of Angus and Hereford steers, 280-350kg, made 190-210c/kg (live) to average 197c/kg ($560-$685).
Mostly lighter and secondary quality steers also sold particularly well, making $400-$600.
A big number of unjoined heifers were also quit in the exodus of drought cattle with most sold from $380- $630 or 160-180c/kg.
Cows and calves made $750 to $1200, while PTIC females reached $800.
* A full market report will appear in Stock & Land, Vic, September 11 edition.