It was a solid market at NVLX Wodonga yesterday. Agents yarded 2765 cattle and quality was generally very good, however there was a tail in the offering across lighter weight categories.

In early sales there was a lift in the level of demand for secondary yearlings, inspired by strong feedlot and restocker competition. Local and northern store orders were plentiful and weaner steers returning to the paddock sold up to 10c dearer. The dearer price trend was aided by stronger competition from feedlot buyers. The well-bred weaner steers returning to the paddock 280-320kg made from 311c-346c/kg to average $1045. With increasing numbers of well-bred heifers being sold to feedlots, restockers found the going tough and stepped into the plainer end paying from 240c-299c/kg.

The feeder steer market continued to show promise with vealer steers lacking finish 330-400kg lifting 6c to reach a top price of 353c or $1254. Well-bred yearling steers were keenly sought and feedlots paid 324c-349c/kg. Medium weight steers 400-500kg sold to stronger local feedlot demand which was reflected in the dearer trend of 5c making from 312c-347c/kg.

Feeder heifer competition waned slightly and prices slipped 7c for the lighter weight portion to average 307c/kg. Medium weight heifers to feed on were unchanged selling from 295c to 314c averaging 308c/kg.

Trade cattle prices were mostly firm with some domestic buyers unable to match the stronger feedlot competition. Trade steers average 334c to top at 352c/kg. The focus instead shifted to purchasing well finished yearling heifers with buyers pushing prices out to 339c/kg for the supplementary fed portion. The better shaped heifers made from 298c to 328c/kg.

Vealers suitable for the trade were in reasonable supply and the best price vealer was 367c/kg for a single heifer calf. European vealers and their crosses sold 8-9c higher selling from 320c-362c/kg.

Prices for heavy grown steers and bullocks sold to a slightly softer trend topping at 334c, and very few processors wanted to push rates much above 330c/kg. The better finished pens made from 318-331c/kg. Heavy bullocks sold up to 6c cheaper with aged steers discounted 4-5c/kg. Well finished bullocks ranged from 300-330.2c/kg.

The supply of beef cows remained high with 651 penned. Processors competition was depleted as not all buyers attended. The better quality beef cows sold 2- 4c cheaper making from 263- 286c/kg. Plainer cows sold between 234-284c/kg. Bull prices surged 8-14c topping at 310c/kg