Selling in cents a kilogram liveweight, just five pens failed to hit the $1.80/kg mark and, of the 3286 weighed cattle, there was just 1c/kg between the Herefords and Angus averages.

The 2328 Hereford steers averaged 305kg or $594, while the 958 Angus and black baldy steers averaged 313kg or $608.

Western Victorian breeders ensured their reputation for breeding large lines of outstanding weaners prevailed, with the blue ribbon yarding averaging 307kg, despite another difficult season last year.

There was a long procession of B doubles parked outside the yards with cattle heading as far north as Meandarra and Roma in Queensland, and Bathurst, Trangie, Walcha, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Coonamble and Albury in New South Wales.

About 700 head were destined for South Australia with Lower South East agents particularly strong, buying for backgrounders, and Landmark Adelaide operating for S Kidman & Co.

Victorian buying support came from Myrtleford, Swan Hill, Echuca, Warragul, with local buyers from Casterton and Hamilton also active.

Elders Casterton branch manager Sim Flanders said bidding was energetic from the start and gained momentum with some of the lighter end Angus calves under 280kg selling up to $2.19/kg.

"Half of the Casterton buyers were at Hamilton the previous day and the general opinion was Thursday and Friday were the strongest of the week," he said.

"No-one expected over $2.08-$2.10/kg and we thought there might have been more under $1.80/kg - if you had told me we would have averaged more than 1.90/kg prior to the sale we would have been very pleased."

"If they (the buyers) pay $2/kg, with freight it is another 25-30c/kg to get them to Tamworth - freight is a big item but buyers do the sums and they know the cattle do well or they would not be here."