Damp wintery conditions and plainer quality eroded prices at the top end in a larger sized yarding of just over 1,400 cattle at NVLX Wodonga. The market opened cheaper on the back of an increase of plainer stock being yarded.

Steers suitable for the trade were up to 9c cheaper, with domestic processors more selective across all weights and grades. Crop finished and supplementary fed steers sold from 340-362c to average 352c/kg.

Heifer price trends varied with quality and weight tending to be the driving factor. Prices for better finished heifers were generally 13c cheaper selling from 318-346c/kg. Plainer shaped heifers with cover sold from 285-315c/kg.

Vealers were in short supply and the best kill price recorded was 362c with the balance selling from 332c to 360.6c/kg.

Good quality lines of Angus steers 200-300kg attracted strong northern and local restocker demand, with the lead pens lifting 8c selling from 331-388c/kg.

A mixed selection of secondary steers was penned, with some cattle showing the effect of the wintery conditions. The regular feedlot and opportunistic feeders were present however not all were active. Some feedlot buyers were restricted by age weight and breeding, which contributed to values softening up to 14c/kg for lighter weight steers. Lighter weight feed steers topped at 358c to average 340c/kg.

Medium weight steers to feed on were unchanged making from 324-365c/kg.

After some big gains export cattle lost momentum due to weakening demand. Grown steers were quoted as 22c cheaper making from 308-338c/kg. Heavy bullocks were thin on the ground and the better pen lots sold from 310-345c/kg. Heavy heifers attracted all processors and were up to 18c dearer owing to the step up in quality, to sell at 295-345c/kg

The cow market lacked drive, with only few processors operating and competition was patchy. Heavy cows sold 35c cheaper, while leaner grades experiencing a price correction of 18-22c/kg. High yielding beef cows sold from 238-258c to average 247c/kg. Leaner grades ranged from 190-252c/kg.