Yesterday’s sale maintained the strong trend from the end of 2011 when the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator hit a record breaking 428 cents a kilogram.

By Wednesday afternoon, weaner steers had already hit $895 and weaner heifers $870.

The top steer price was paid for four pens of Angus calves from Sue Ray, "Waralla", Ournie near Walwa.

Her 116 top-priced Koojan Hills-blood steers tipped the scales at an average weight of 379 kilograms, and returned about 236 cents/kg.

Her agent Trevor Parker, Corcoran Parker, Wodonga, described the pens as some of the best in the yards.

Mrs Ray’s steers were bought by Chris Stanley Livestock, Melbourne.

The same buyer secured 405 Angus steers from Rod Manning, Davilak Pastoral Company, Mansfield, Vic.

The steers were 10 to 11 months old, with the top 124 head averaging 340kg and selling for $860.

Commenting on the rest of the yarding, Mr Parker said the leading pens were making as much as 240c/kg, but he expected dearer prices per kilogram as the sale progressed and more lighter stock were sold.

He also reported more northern buyers at this year’s sale spurred on by the green feed following the rains at the end of 2011.

Elders Albury livestock manager Matt Tinkler said the yarding was an excellent line-up of stock and was upbeat about the results.

"The good pre-Christmas rains in NSW and Victoria, particularly the north-eastern regions have helped," he said.

The first pen of weaner steers to be auctioned by Elders sold for $880 and was a pen of 20, 399kg Angus steers sold by Raymond Fisher, "Burrabunnia", Barnawartha.

Mr Fisher also sold a pen of 344kg Angus weaner heifers for $870.