Wet conditions kept a lid on any lift in cattle supplies, with agents penning a similar sized yarding of 1074 at NVLX Wodonga. The yarding was mostly mixed with a lot of the secondary type yearlings winter affected.

All buyers were active in a dearer market for secondary yearlings, while domestic and export prices surged depending on quality. High yielding supplementary fed stock were paid premium prices for the better finished lines, with all southern processors having to compete strongly against feedlot buyers for a market share.

The big prices movers this week were heavy grown steers and bullocks in response to the reduced supplies, with southern and northern processors driving the market higher. Heavy steers 500-600kg jumped 19c to average 350c/kg. Heavy bullocks spiked 26c to top at 347c/kg.

Trade steers bounced 19c with the supplementary fed portion fuelling rates. Trade steers regularly sold at 350-366c/kg. Trade heifers were keenly sought with all buyers eager to capture a market share, which pushed prices 12c higher to top at 360c/kg.

The highest price paid was 370.2c for a single European vealer weighing approximately 360kg. Most European veal and their crosses sold up to 19c higher fetching 342-366c/kg.

The market was strong for weaner steers 200-280kg, with recent rain motivating restockers. Weaner steer rates lifted 4c selling to a top of 377c/kg, with the better drafts making from 340-368c/kg.

Feeder steers posted sizeable gains following the rain across NSW and Victoria. Light weight steers 330-400kg sold 10c dearer making from 330-358c/kg. Medium weight steers 400-500kg were keenly sought selling a few cents dearer at 333- 355c/kg

The feeder heifer market lacked the quality of previous sales with plenty of lines winter affected. Rates however did continue to show improvement. Light weight feeder heifers gained 7c selling from 322-334c/kg. Plainer shaped heifers dragged prices higher due to the lack of numbers, with sales ranging from 284-312c/kg

Cow rates were in left in a holding pattern for well finished lines, with prices unchanged. Leaner grades sold up to 12c cheaper owing to the smaller gallery of processors. Heavy cows topped at 297c to average 283c/kg. Leaner grades made for 250-288c while plain cows sold at 185-240c/kg