BUOYANT was one word to describe the sale at Wagga in a similar sized yarding of 3,150.

Cattle prices were generally 20-53c dearer despite the market facing pressure from a mixed quality offering.

Secondary types made up the bulk of the offering, however there were some excellent lines of yearling cattle supplementary fed and finished off crops, which sold to both feedlots and the domestic trade.

The market started off in line with recent sales but kicked away when it came to weaner cattle. Inspired northern restockers drove the market 40-53c/kg higher. Light weight steers 200-280kg recorded a top price of 429c/kg. Well-bred steers hovering around 300kg weight range averaged $1215/head or 394c/kg. A couple of strong northern orders helped lifted the heifer portion 24c, with well-bred heifers consistently making 267c-408c/kg.

It was more of the same in the feeder heifer market, with feedlots clashing for well-bred lines. Feeder heifers 400-500kg jumped 17c fetching 338-374c/kg. Light weights trended 6c dearer averaging 359c/kg.

Feeder steers prices hit their highest level this year when prices surged 10-23c/kg. Lighter weights made significant gains to reach a top price of 415c/kg. Medium weight steer sold to stronger competition causing prices to spike 10c to average 385c/kg

Trade cattle were in short supply and domestic buyers struggled to match the higher rates. Trade heifers were unchanged making from 340-387c/kg. Trade steers were limited and prices jumped 10c to average 383/kg.

Grown steers and bullocks were in greater numbers and buyers had insatiable appetites for both categories. Prices lifted 6-9c/kg with the better finished steers selling from 350-388c/kg.

Extra buyers competed strongly in the cow market for well finished lines, with plenty of cows trading above 600c/kg carcass weight, reaching a top of 307c/kg. Leaner cows sold from 244-288c/kg.