Cattle prices at NVLX Wodonga have continued on a solid note. Numbers dipped slightly to 1545 in a very mixed quality offering.

The market in places gathered momentum although the industry is still waiting further signals about supply and demand, with abattoirs winding kills back and good rains predicted across the supply area.

The highlight on Tuesday was a price lift for feeder cattle of more than 5c in places. The National Livestock Reporting Service said the bulk of the medium weight steers 400-500kg sold 5c dearer making from 308c-348c/kg. Vealer steers to feed on were keenly sought by several feedlots and fetched 319-350c/kg.

In the feeder heifer market rates were 3c higher with the 330-400kg regularly making from 310-334c to average 322c/kg.

A mixed selection of medium weight vealers sold unchanged making 328-369c, while the best of the lighter weight B muscled calves met strong competition topping at 384c/kg.

Restockers in the vealer run paid to 360c for lighter weight plainer conditioned calves lifting rates by 5c to average 358c/kg.

Trade steers 400-500kg met strong competition for the supplementary fed portion which sold for more than 350c with the bulk of the offering fetching 308-358c/kg.

Trade heifers sold to stronger price trends of 10c when domestic processors paid up to 356c and averaged 315.9c/kg.

In the export run prices varied over some sales, with steers needing more finish selling to JBS swift at 289-317c/kg. The bulk of the heavy steers to slaughter were unchanged making from 288-328c/kg. Bullocks were fully firm selling at 295-319c/kg.

The cow market stepped up in gears and most processors were operating which caused prices to lift 5-10c/kg. Heavy cows sold to strong price trends making from 232-264c/kg. Leaner grades ranged from 216c to 246/kg cwt. Store cows were a hot ticker item making from 185-239c/kg