Heavy rain across much of NSW and Victoria had an immediate effect on prices at NVLX Wodonga on Tuesday, in a slightly smaller yarding of just under 1400.

Meat & Livestock Australia said cattle prices tracked at dearer levels over all categories, with secondary lines showing the greater price increases.

One highlight of the sale was store steers 330-400kg which reached a high of 352c/kg. The surge in prices for secondary steers returning to the paddock meant rates average 351c/kg or the equivalent of $1218. Heifers back to the paddock were well bred lines making from 305-365c/kg.

Rain fuelled feeder steer prices in all weight ranges, with feedlots dominating the market. Generally feeder steers sold 10c-14c dearer. Stronger demand for feeder steers 330-400kg saw rates lift 14c to average 345c/kg. Medium weight feeder steers regularly made from 322-344c/kg.

Meanwhile the feeder heifer market bounced, with several feedlot orders lifting rates 13c for heifers 330-400kg. As the market progressed heifer prices continued to firm reaching a top of 346c to average 339c/kg.

Vealers were a hot ticket item with the best pen of calves to slaughter recording a top price of 409c/kg. The bulk of the vealers sold from 330-372c/kg.

Robust demand from feedlots pushed trade prices up 7-10c/kg. Trade steers 400-500kg reached a top of 375c to average 335c/kg. Trade heifer prices continued to come under pressure from most domestic processors which resulted in a dearer trend of 7c/kg. The better finished trade heifers sold from 307-381c/kg.

Grown steers and bullocks were in reasonable numbers and quality was very good. Buyers paid up to 340c for young Angus steers 500-600kg which contributed to a dearer trend of 14c/kg. Competition between some domestic processors and exporters saw the bulk of the better quality bullocks make from 312-340.2c/kg.

There were signs that export processors are prepared to push the market higher, due to diminishing numbers in northern markets. High yielding beef cows jumped 14c to average 229c/kg. Leaner cows were keenly sought by northern processors which resulted in rates increasing by 13-17c making from 200-226c/kg. Restockers were also inspired to enter the cow market paying from 190- 223c/kg