At NVLX Wodonga the warmer weather and the annual spring turnoff of cattle lifted numbers to just over 2,300.

Prices fluctuated this week, as the market felt the pressure of warmer temperatures and the influx of numbers at some selling centres.

Each agent offered excellent lines of top quality vealers, with the European calves and their crosses igniting the bidding, and at slightly more money than the previous sale. The best steer vealers lifted 7c, while the heifer portion sold 5c dearer. European vealers and their crosses made from 335c-390c/kg. Other sales of veal sold to fluctuating price trends dependent on fat cover and freshness and rates did slide for some categories.

The trade market was boosted by strong supermarket competition on all drafts of better finished steers 400-500kg. A pen of steers weighing approximately 490kg recorded a top price of 336c/kg, while generally steers to the trade eased 5c to average 321c/kg.

Trade heifer’s prices strengthened 4c/kg this week as both export and domestic buyers competed for a market share. The better finished medium weights sold from 295-330c/kg. Lighter weight heifers which were either grain fed or grass finished made from 302-318c/kg.

Export cattle were sold to softer trends, with the main category of heavy steer’s 500-600kg dipping 4c/kg to average 309c/kg. Southern domestic buying competition was sporadic at times, with export buyers underpinning rates on all the better bred lines of younger steers. It was an excellent line up of bullocks with plenty of weight however; buyers were not prepared to push rates much over 314c, which resulted in prices holding firm. Well finished pens of bullocks made from 290-315c/kg. Crossbred bullocks ranged from 270-300c/kg.

The strength of feedlot buyers for medium weight steers was stronger, with the best pen topping at 340c to average 318c/kg.

The feeder heifer market lacked the drive of previous sales, with some feedlot buyer’s not operating. Lighter weight feeder heifers eased 8c selling from 296-320c/kg.

Cow numbers lifted to just over 700 with the main run of high yielding beef cows selling 4c easier to average 243c/kg. Leaner grades sold to fluctuating price trends slipping 4c receiving 218-244c/kg.