HEAVY rain in northern NSW is expected to drive demand across a larger offering of 60,000 weaners at Victoria's new year calf sales.

The sales open on January 4 at Hamilton, Casterton and Wodonga, with almost 9000 calves offered on the first day.

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Last year, more than 50,000 cattle were sold at the sales.

Rodwells Yea manager Adam Mountjoy said early tallies showed 11,000 calves would be sold locally in January, and buyers were optimistic.

Mr Mountjoy said there were signs of a bumper weaner selling season, with high prices paid at Euroa in the past fortnight.

"We are already seeing good prices at early sales, and really the northern buyers are yet to step in," he said.

"It's buoyant times for selling weaners, but some of it depends on whether the prime cattle market can hold."

Mr Mountjoy said he expected prices to average more than the $800 achieved last year.

"The season is good everywhere, and we expect competition from a big area," he said.

Elders Mortlake manager Alastair Drummond said the cold, wet winter which had produced lighter calves in the Western District could work in the favour of vendors.

"There are a lot of calves that don't have the weight they normally do, but they still have the breeding," Mr Drummond said.

"But quite a few northern buyers prefer the lighter calves as there is more chance to add weight and make a margin."

Buyers, however, are nervous, and are branding the market "expensive" even at the early sales.

Peter Braniff, from Corryong, paid up to $815 for Hereford calves last year which weighed up to 350kg, but he fears prices will go even higher at next month's sales.

"When you are in the business of finishing steers, you need to buy back in and stay in the market," Mr Braniff said.

"Ideally, I'd like to get older cattle but weaners seem to be what you can buy."

He said he expected competition to be fierce, and to be bidding against feedlots and backgrounders when he tried to buy replacement cattle in January.

"I heard something the other day on the radio which rings true," he said.

"Finishing cattle is the only industry where you buy at retail, sell at wholesale and pay the cartage both ways, and that's pretty true.