Rural Livestock Otago agent Rob Fowler said snow falling in the South the day before the sale was a reason for his clients withdrawing 220 cattle from the sale.
About 320 cattle were offered by Rural Livestock on behalf of its clients and all of them sold.
"It was still a good yarding of cattle because there was every breed under the sun there."
Feed was in short supply at present and some farmers were holding on to cattle in the hope it would get warmer and the moisture would grow plenty of grass.
"Considering the feed pressure and the way the weather has been, that was a reasonably good sale result."
A highlight was a dozen 2-year-old Angus cross steers from Steven Clearwater, of Peninsula Holdings Trust in Dunedin, selling for $1800 each, or $3.40/kg.
"He never saw that coming."
The highest price paid to one of his clients was $3.93/kg for five Charolais steers from Maungatua Farm.
Demand was strong for yearling cattle of traditional breeds, such as Angus and Charolais, which got a farmer paid a premium from the processor.
The Palmerston Spring Cattle Sale on Friday was at capacity, he said.
Cattle sales filled up at this time of year as many farmers brought their calves through to yearlings and sold them.
Some of his clients withdrew cattle because of adverse weather.
"There was no fire power from down south because they are too wet."
Some vendors also got "cold feet" due to an uncertain market, he said.
The top quality straight beef breeds fetched a premium at the sale.
"The cream rose to the top. Good stock continues to sell really well."
Cattle which faced challenging conditions in autumn and winter, or were presented in poor condition, struggled to fetch prices their vendors had hoped for, he said.
A full clearance was positive.
"I’ve had several texts from happy vendors."
Vendor Ross Lowry sold seven South Devon steers for $1390 each or $4.15/kg.
A pen of six Hereford bulls from Totara Hill Farm sold for $2000 each.
Simmental steers from the Burgess family of Beresford Farm in the Catlins sold for more than $4/kg.
Another highlight was Angus heifers from Central Otago fetching up to $3.61/kg, "that was really good going".
Some cattle buyer got a good deal as the market was driven by the amount of grass available, he said.
He expected the cattle market to pick up in South Otago after a spell of warmer weather, he said.
"The grass in South Otago hasn’t taken off just yet."
Vendor Ian Sinclair, of Cannibal Bay, said prices paid for his Composite and Simmental cross cattle, nine steers and 14 heifers, were back on last year.
The auctioneer’s hammer fell at $1340 each for the heifers and $1410 each for the steers.
He believed the price reduction was due to recent cold and wet weather reducing soil temperatures and stunting grass growth.
"We are all feeling the pinch for feed."
The rain and snow had resulted in the loss of some calves and lambs on the family farms in the South but the moisture could set them up for spring.
"We can’t thumb our nose at moisture, as it can turn dry. It is just a shame it turned cold with it. If it turns warm now, we’ll be away laughing but South Otago is so changeable."
