Warm spring conditions drew a slightly bigger yarding of just over 1,800 cattle at NVLX Wodonga.

Even with a larger field of buyers most categories showed volatility.

Despite a good body of feed across the Riverina producers offloaded both prime finished cattle and store conditioned yearlings unwilling to take a punt on the drying spring conditions and softening prices.

The vealer sale was erratic and prices were affected by as much as 19c/kg, however fresh calves did attract the better competition. European veal and their crosses made from 345-388c while other sales ranged from 288-355c/kg.

The trade cattle market opened cheaper, with trade steers firming on the back of the supplementary fed portion which recorded a top price of 370c, while the second pen sold at 367c/kg. All other trade steers ranged from 315-358c/kg.

The trend was severe for the heifer portion where prices dropped 11c/kg; it followed in line of cheaper trends at other selling centres in Victoria. The main lines of 400-500kg heifers made from 278-356c to average 305c/kg.

Prices for feeder steers also slipped due in part to less feedlot orders. The cheaper market encouraged feedlot competition from Wagga and Hay feedlots along with some Queensland demand helping cement a floor in prices. Medium weight feeder steers sold 6c cheaper to average 337c/kg.

It was more of the same for feeder heifers due to limited demand. Prices dropped 9c, with feeder heifer’s 330-400kg averaging 307c/kg.

After a price correction last week, bidding for export cattle stabilised, with most sales firm to 4c dearer. The better finished pens of heavy grown steers made from 300-330c, while bullocks averaged 318c/kg.

A larger group of buyers and stronger bidding in the cow market lifted rates 4-6c/kg. Heavy well finished cows sold at 238c 253c/kg. Leaner grade prices fluctuated depending on who was bidding. Good clean leaner types made from 235c- 255c/kg. Heavy bulls sold 4-6c dearer making 234-263c/kg