Markets

Wagga sale 10 Apr 2017: Trade and export categories strengthen

James Nason, 11/04/2017

The interruption to cattle markets due to Easter holiday break has made this trading week short.

Wagga market had the greatest representation of numbers, on Monday, with agents penning 3700.

The tight supplies for both domestic and export processors strengthened prices across trade and export categories, with some of the better finished lines showing a hefty price rise.

A lift in demand and a shortfall in yearling steer numbers suitable for the trade helped push prices 24c higher. The better conditioned and finished steer’s commanded premium prices to reach a top price of 398c to average 362c/kg. The other positive trend was medium weight grass finished heifers which jumped 6c making from 310c to 345c/kg.

Vealers were in short supply and buyer pushed rates 5-7c higher in order to secure numbers. European vealer and their crosses made from 330c to 380c/kg cwt.

Prices were also strong for heavy grown steers and bullocks. Heavy grown steers 500-600kg topped at 338c to average 320c/kg. Bullocks were in short supply which distorted price trends, the limited supplies selling from 316c-326c/kg.

There were increased numbers of secondary light weight steers and heifers which sold to stronger demand from a large field of restockers on the back of wide spread rain.

Well-bed lines ignited the bidding and prices bounced 6-14c selling from 366c-432c/kg. Bidding was selective for the heifer portion and plainer lines keeping prices steady at 360c-391c/kg.

Secondary steers medium weight were in reasonable supply and well-bred lines found plenty of demand from lot feeders to lift 3c/kg. The bulk of the well-bred lines made from 317c-358c/kg. There was increased competition for feeder heifers which lifted rates 3-7c with the lighter weights averaging 347c/kg.

There were just over 900 cows penned and prices strengthen under pressure from the short trading week. High yielding beef cows sold 3-6c higher making from 238-265c/kg. Meanwhile leaner grades were keenly sought by both export processors and store buyers which pushed prices up by 15c, leaner grades sold from 191c-268c/kg. Store cows ranged from 226c-250c/kg.

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