Hot weather and high prices contributed to numbers increasing to 2400 at Wodonga.

The market seemed to lose some heat, with easier prices trends over most yearling categories. There were signs at the market that feedlots are for the moment not prepared to keep pushing the market upwards, particularly at the plainer end of those categories.

Trade cattle market fluctuated for yearlings, with the recent hot weather impacting on some lines of stock. Trade heifers 400-500kg eased 9c, selling from 296-318c to average 309c/kg. There were limited steers 400-500kg purchased by domestic processors and rates were impressive for the better shaped types. The best of prime steers lifted 13c making from 313-338c.kg.

Vealers were in reasonable supply and buyers operated with some urgency for the high yielding types. The better covered fresh calves 280-320kg sold from 330-360c/kg. Medium weights sold at 332-378.c/kg. Vealers lacking finish sold to feedlots and restockers selling from 319-360c/kg.

The feeder steer market showed weaker price trends easing back 6-13c/kg. Demand for quality steers and heifers were evident, with prices lifting throughout the sale. Steers weighing 400-500kg were purchased by various feedlots and sold to a top of 338c to average $1402 according to Meat & Livestock Australia. Medium weight heifers to feed-on sold to stronger demand, which caused prices to lift 22c, the better quality lines sold from 290-324c/kg.

Well-bred weaner steers sold mostly to local restocking competition. Light weight steers ranged from 329-352c/kg.

The cheaper prices were evident for export cattle when major buyers weren’t prepared to push rates on younger well finished stock. Heavy steers 500-600kg to slaughter slipped 6c making from 278-337c, while the feeder steer portion sold 4c cheaper making from 302-331c/kg. Bullocks were in reasonable supply selling at a cheaper trend of 11c to average 304c/kg.

In a line-up of just over 800 cows most processor operated while, other southern buyers were selective in making purchases. The usual northern buyer was in attendance which helped underpin prices. All grades of cows generally sold 4c- 9c cheaper, with the better run of cows selling from 230-257c/kg. Heavy high yielding beef cows averaged 245c/kg. Lean cow lost the bidding intensity of last week which resulted in prices dipping to a low of 190c, while the better covered types made from 208-237c/kg