The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) has reached a new benchmark of 605.75¢ dressed weight, delivered by a 11c rise in the past week.

The EYCI is a seven-day rolling average of prices for vealers and yearlings sold in saleyards in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

The rising price trend came during a during a week of solid increases in most saleyard offerings.

Tuesday’s sales saw a significant lift in yardings at Roma, from less than 1000 head last week to 7495 head this week, and a 28pc increase at CTLX to 2110 head. The NVLX Wodonga sale bucked the trend with a 21pc smaller yarding of 2200 head.

On Wednesday yardings grew again in response to the rising prices with Dalby’s offering increased by 20pc to 4296, Casino assembling 9pc more to 1900 head and Leongatha yarding 2400, a 4pc increase.

At the close of sales yesterday, key indicators included:

• Trade steers were steady, at 307¢/kg lwt
• Medium steers improved 5¢, to 279¢/kg lwt
• Heavy steers eased 3¢, to 286¢/kg lwt
• Medium cows gained 2¢, to average 227¢/kg lwt
• Feeder steers improved 2¢, to 327¢/kg lwt

Source: Meat & Livestock Australia