Heavy rain drenched the supply area over the weekend however; this didn’t deter producers, with numbers lifting significantly. NVLX Wodonga reported a very good sale of just over 1,700 cattle.

Prices generally leapt ahead for some categories and were quoted up to 15c/kg dearer. While prices did improve some cattle were left behind. An example was grass finished yearling heifers where several buyers weren’t prepared to push rates higher due to greater numbers of heifers 400-500kg.

The vealer selling season gained momentum, with both numbers and prices increasing. The best price recorded was 412.2c while the best of the heavy vealers averaged 396c/kg for the European portion. Lighter weight veal was keenly sought and buyers paid up to 21c more for European calves and their crosses. Lighter weight vealers 290-330kg sold from 383-412c/kg.

Trade steer prices were fuelled by stronger processor demand which resulted in a dearer trend of 15c/kg. Medium weight Steers 400-500kg made from 358-398c to average 381c/kg. Trade heifers sold to solid demand, but only select pens were paid premium rates, which resulted in prices easing 11c/kg for the medium weights to average 353c/kg. The better finished lighter weight heifers 330-400kg grass finished and supplementary fed consistently made from 360-398c to average 382c/kg.

Feedlot orders were few and it must be noted a lot of the cattle were not suited to feed lotting. Feeder steers 400-500kg were firm selling at 346-374c/kg. Lighter weight secondary steers 330-400kg made from 368-388c/kg

Heavy grown steers and bullocks were in reasonable numbers and quality was quite good. Bidding was stronger throughout the sale with exporter and domestic processors all wanting a market share. Heavy steers lifted 7c making from 334-372c, while bullocks sold 12c dearer to average 351c/kg. The shortage of top quality heavy heifers over 500kg gave the market an edge with prices rising 6c and more in places. The better shaped and younger heifers were paid the best rates making from 305-345c/kg.

In the cow market northern processor demand for leaner slaughter cows continued to strengthen on the back of tight supplies. Lean high yielding types sold 2c dearer making from 248-289c/kg. Heavy grades sold to weaker price trends to finish 10c/kg cheaper averaging 274c/kg. Heavy bulls topped at 290c/kg.