The last cattle sale before the Christmas holiday break contributed to a significant drop in numbers, with Wagga agents offering 3,820.

Cattle prices fell again this week as the approaching abattoir shut downs for their annual Christmas break continued to put pressure on the market.

Young cattle generally experienced another 5-12c/kg price dip although there were times where plainer conditioned stocks were discounted further.

The lack of processor demand seems to behind the latest correction, which was reflected in the cheaper trend of 18c for bullocks and 9c for 500-600kg heavy grown steers. Good quality grown steers made from 250- 278c to average 270c/kg. It was a tough going for bullocks with the smaller group of buyers unwilling to push much over 270c which caused bullock averages to drop back to 262c/kg.

Trade steer prices declined due to the lack of quality and processor demand. The better finished steers sold 12c cheaper making from 274-286c/kg. The better finished heifers 400-500kg sold unchanged to 3c easier fetching from 250-278c to average 269c/kg.

The trend was similar for secondary cattle, with prices back 9c/kg, feedlots paid an average of 309c for medium weight steers 400-500kg. Lighter weight secondary steers 330-400kg suitable to feed on was least affected and price were firm to 3c cheaper. Well-bred lines made from 276-334c/kg.

The cheaper trend for feeder steers impacted on restocking competition and prices in general fell 12c/kg for well-bred steers returning to the paddock. Restockers paid from 280-340c/kg. Confidence was more robust in the heifer run and, secondary vealer heifers were keenly contested by both restockers and feedlots, which lifted prices 20c/kg. Store buyers paid from 279-319c/kg.

Prices fluctuated in a smaller sized line up of 820 cows. There was less buying competition from the north and this affected price trends with rates falling 10-12c/kg. Heavy cows made from 215-235 averaging 224c/kg. Leaner cows sold to fluctuating price trends, with light weight cows proving more difficult to sell as the sale progressed. Light and medium framed lines sold from 180-220c/kg. Cows returning to the paddock dropped 10c selling at 186-211c/kg.