Prices reflected the slide in prime market rates at Naracoorte on Thursday, but were still solid and on a par with the Mount Gambier sale a fortnight earlier.
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For the first time, Naracoorte combined agents trialled a new selling format, with nearly 40 per cent of the yarding sold in cents a kilogram instead of dollars a head.
Steers made up to $3.23/kg, and heifers to $2.94/kg.
But the majority of the calves, less than 250kg, were sold in
$/hd.
Norm and Sandra Smith, Katalpa, Furner, topped the steer section with 10 European Union-accredited Charolais-Herefords weighing 513 kilograms.
They were knocked down to Thomas Foods International who bought 224 head in the sale.
B Pitt, Sumatanga Park, sold 12 EU Angus steers, 446.3kg, for $1437.
The top price heifers were 15 Angus, account Struan Research Centre, at $1135.
Among the well-bred weaners NK&CE Elliott, Lucindale, sold 81 Red Angus-Gelbvieh steers and 69 heifers. The steers, weighing 268kg, averaged $3.16/kg or $870 and 69 heifers, 242kg, av $2.84/kg.
A pen of 10 cows with calves from SM&MK Day made $1460.
Elders Naracoorte livestock manager Tom Dennis said c/kg selling was beneficial for sellers but also easier for buyers.
"It is in our clients' interest. At the moment there is too much variation - 10 pens of calves about the same weight can vary up to 15c/kg."
He said another failed spring had brought forward weaner sales. The next sale on Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 would feature 3000 steers and 2000 heifers.
"It is the second year in a row we have had December calves sold in November and January calves sold in December," he said.
"Some vendors will be able to hold onto them but not all, and there are a lot of lighter cattle."
Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen's Richard Harvie said the job was solid with heavier steers making $2.80-$3.30/kg, while lighter steers sold up to $3.60/kg.
Most heifers made $2.50-$2.80/kg.
