Rural Livestock agent Dennis Mullally said medium and lighter animals were hard to sell but better calves were in reasonable demand at sales in the early part of this week.
At West Otago and Mt Benger sales on Tuesday, better quality steer calves sold for $1.85 a kg live weight, but demand eased for medium quality animals and the price dropped to about $1.70 a kg.
The best heifers sold for $1.50 a kg. There was limited demand for medium and light heifers, which made $1.20 to $1.30 a kg, Mr Mullally said.
West Otago calves were described as being in good forward condition, while some at Mt Benger were showing signs of the dry summer.
"It's straight out winter feed,'' Mr Mullally said, describing the weaner calf market.
Winter crops were quite bountiful but the dry summer meant supplies of hay, silage and baleage were low and farmers were weary about taking extra animals through the winter.
He said it was unfortunate because the beef market was strong and money could be made.