Tony Haling says that they had “no idea what would happen at the sale today” but said that the calves had to go and the rain in the north and the south helped to improve the market.

“Until a few weeks ago things were looking pretty grim. We have six kilometress of McDonald River frontage and that had stopped flowing. Even when it did rain at Walcha it took three weeks for the water to reach Woolbrook. But that rain enabled the cows to produce more milk to finish the calves off and provided a green pick,” he said.

“We’ve had a mild season so far but these calves had to go - either this sale or next.

“With temperatures dropping as low as minus 8 at home we can’t carry them through winter. We need to give the cows a chance,” he said.

The winning pen was part of a 386 head annual draft from “Hillside Park” including 219 steers that averaged $579 per head and 167 heifers that averaged $497 with the bulk being purchased by Landmark Dubbo.

In choosing a winner, judge and commission buyer, Rob McCarthy of “Cuerindi” Manilla, said that the Halings had done a marvelous job despite the conditions.

“The line-up of cattle here today is outstanding. We’ve had two years of terrible drought – possibly the worst I can remember - and it’s a credit to the vendors to produce cattle like this out of the paddock. Overall the offering is probably 100kg lighter than similar sales last year but nobody can disagree that this pen was the best on the day,” he said.

The prize package included over $1000 worth of product from Virbac Animal Health Australia, $500 cash from the Tamworth Saleyards Selling Agents Association, a trophy and the honour of being the first name on the Weaner Challenge shield.