Bids flew in a significantly dearer market at Wagga prime cattle sale yesterday.

The yarding of 3,365 was 1,235 less than the previous week, with rain reducing numbers. Orders from feedlots and restockers ensured prices pushed considerably higher for all secondary lines, while export and domestic processor demand ramped up notably, on the back of tight supplies. Export prices in general jumped 23-33c/kg.

Trade prices were boosted by strong competition from a major supermarket that clashed against feedlot buyers for a market share of the supplementary fed and crop finished yearlings. Prices across trade weight categories lifted 5-14c/kg. The best price recorded was 347c for a pen of grain fed steers weighing 440kg. The bulk of the trade steers made from 310-345c/kg.

Trade heifer’s prices were not as erratic this week, with the better finished medium weights selling from 295-328c/kg. A large portion of the grain fed heifers sold from 318-334c/kg. Plainer bred heifers to slaughter ranged from 240-283c/kg.

It was more of the same in the export market with producer confidence building as prices spiked 10-23c for grown steers and bullocks. The better finished steers made from 315-345c/kg.

Heavy heifers were the highlight of the sale surging 33c/kg, with heifers continually equalling bullock value. Agents said they never anticipated such a hefty rise after last week’s dearer market. Well shaped heifers supplementary fed or crop finished 500-600kg made from 310-336c/kg. The heavier portion 600kg plus sold from 277-332c/kg.

Feeder steers posted noteworthy gains of 9-10c with plainer bred steers rising 18c/kg. The market was described by agents as read hot with feeder steers topping at 339c to average 329ckg.

Yearling heifers suitable to feed on sold 10c dearer and more in places. Lighter weight heifers made from 280-315c/kg.

Strong support from northern restockers produced stronger competition for plainer lighter weight steers and heifers. Prices hit 308c for plainer lines of nondescript steers 200-280kg a lift of 36c/kg. Well-bred weaner steers were in short supply averaging 309c and reaching a top price of 338c/kg.

While the light weight heifer portion was very mixed, competition between local and northern restockers was strong too. Pens of heifers 200-280kg sold 30c higher to average 304.2c/kg.

Another big price mover was the cow market, with the first pen of the day knocked down for 270.2c/kg. Heavy cows gained 15c topping at 275c to average 267c/kg. Leaner grades were also a hot ticket item selling 9-14c dearer. The better lean lines ranged from 230-266c/kg.