Numbers almost halved at NVLX Wodonga in a very mixed quality offering.

While most markets offered fewer numbers this week, trade buyers appear to be the ones suffering from a lack of supply.

This caused a good lift in prices of up to 10-15c for the best quality veal with the pick of sales reaching a top price of 332c/kg. Other sales ranged from 280-330c/kg.

The ongoing hot temperatures and dry conditions caused a host of plainer conditioned weaners and yearlings to enter the market. The plainer selection did effect processor competition but provided feedlots and restockers with more choice.

This was evident over lighter weight classes, with the bulk of the lighter weaner offering selling to both local feedlot orders and restockers. Well-bred young steers 330-400kg lifted 13c making from 275c-306c to average 290c/kg. Plainer steers returning to the paddock which lacked conditioned and frame ranged from 220c-247c/kg. There was a price variance based on breed and condition for store heifers and rates varied from 222-268c/kg.

Prices for feeder heifers strengthened on the back of the smaller heifer offering. Medium weight heifers to feed on jumped 20c due to lack of numbers making from 280c-294c/kg. Lighter weight heifers suitable to feed were also in short supply and they made from 276c-305c/kg.

Secondary steers suitable to feed on were in limited numbers, and sold to a small gallery of local buyers, with the better bred lines unchanged fetching 270-305c/kg.

Bidding for medium weight trade steers intensified as domestic processors battled against each other to acquire adequate supplies. After some impressive price spikes, of up to 25c medium weight steers topped at 325c to average 318c/kg. Once again domestic processors were forced to shift their focus to the heifer portion and buyers paid from 281c-300c/kg.

The seasonal shortage of export cattle was reflected in the bullock prices with the better quality pens selling 8c dearer making from 276c-297.2c/kg. Heavy grown steers 500-600kg was keenly contested by southern and local export processors which pushed prices 3c/kg higher to average 288c/kg. Heavy heifers lacked the quality of previous weeks and the better younger shapes sold from 247-275c/kg.

The cow markets strengthened, with prices 4c-5c dearer for higher yielding lines. Heavy cows made from 208-226c/kg. Strong restocker demand drove leaner cow rates 14c higher to slaughter. Lean cows to kill sold at 188-241c/kg. A large run of Angus cow’s PTCI to calve in July, ignited the bidding, store buyers paying from 175-229c/kg.