Heavy steers suitable for processors and feedlotting were in demand by buyers at Strathalbyn's cattle market on Friday last week, with steer prices topping at $1000.
BG&LJ Warner, Lameroo, made the top price for 13 December 2017-drop and January 2018-drop steers that weighed 385 kilograms.
The same vendor made the second-highest price of $960 or $2.74 a kilogram for 13, 350kg steers that were sold to Thomas Foods International.
A total of 835 head were yarded and Landmark Strathalbyn auctioneer Bradley Walker said cattle markets at this time of year were driven by seasonal conditions.
"Feedlot cattle sold as expected and held firm - it reflects the season we are having because cattle that need to head back into the paddock for feed were most affected by easing prices," he said.
"The better quality lines of Angus cattle performed whereas the coloured and mixed breeds struggled a bit.
"Hopefully with the arrival of rain last week and with more to come it will generate more feed and the restocking inquiry will lift."
Steer prices continued to hold firm throughout the sale with five, 333kg August/September 2018-drop Angus steers from Walkers International, Flaxley, making $920 or $2.76/kg.
BL&JL Jaensch, Murray Bridge, made $890 or $2.75/kg for their eight 323kg steers that were sold.
A line of 13, 298kg July/August 2018-drop Angus Stoney Point and Kingarth-blood steers from SJK Brown Investments, Woodside, made $880 or $2.95/kg.
RC Bailey, Mount Barker, sold 14 April/May 2018-drop steers that weighed 339kg for $870 or $2.56/kg.
In the heifer section, Langhorne Creek vendor H Cleggett and Sons made $945 or $2.41/kg for their six 391kg Red Angus cross April/May 2018-drop heifers.
GE Ashby and Sons, Gulnare, sold 10, 453kg heifers for $900 or $1.98/kg to TFI and five Shorthorn heifers that weighed 338kgs for $760 or $2.24/kg.
RoCorp Proprietary Limited, Lameroo, sold 11, 320kg Bull Oak Well-bld Angus heifers for $740 or $2.31/kg.
Jennings Brothers, Rosedale, yarded multiple pens, with its top price pen of six Angus cows with 8-week-old Speckle Park calves at foot selling for $1300, while 11, Pregnancy Tested and in-calf Angus cows joined to Speckle Park bulls made $1160 and seven PTIC Angus cows sold for $1080.
M McPherson, Spalding, sold 13 Bundaleer-bld cows that had been running with Shorthorn bulls for $1000.
The next market will be held on June 7.