Cattle numbers at NVLX Wodonga lifted marginally to just over 1640, as some producers move to capitalise on the price rise of the past week for heavy cattle.

Generally rates held up remarkably well, and while prices did soften for yearling trade cattle vealers sold to dearer trends.

The vealer market did show some price variations, however rates still remained high lifting 6-9c/kg. European vealers and their crosses made from 270-325c/kg. British bred vealers made from 286-315c/kg. Feedlot competition across vealer categories was solid with vealers to feed on making from 256-292c/kg.

There was a bigger line up of yearling trade steers, with prices fluctuating firm to 4c easier as buyers became more selective. Medium weight steers 400-500kg made from 255-305c to average 274c/kg. Similarly the market for trade heifers faded in places with prices easing 2c/kg. The bulk of the medium weight heifers made from 248c-300c averaging 257c/kg. Plainer heifers lacking shape ranged from 180-210c/kg.

There was a price dip for light weight steers 280-300kg returning to the paddock with rates slipping 10c/kg. The well-bred portion sold from 232-316c to average 285c/kg.

Feeder steers held their value and bidding intensified for any well-bred lines 400-500kg. Medium weights firmed selling from 245-292c/kg.

Heifers to feed on were in shorter supply and not all feedlot buyers attended or operated fully. Well-bred pens made from 245-261c/kg.

Despite the hot weather most pens of heavy steers and bullocks were of outstanding quality, with agents offering plenty of weight and yield. Southern and northern buyers were operating and rates were unchanged to 4c/kg dearer. Heavy grown steer’s milk and two teeth attracted steady competition making from 235-270c/kg. Heavy bullocks sold to strong northern competition selling from 255-281c/kg.

A similar line up of 550 cows was tendered and quality was quite mixed, with all weights and grades represented. Competition was strong and prices were firm to 5c dearer. Heavy cows made from 192-214c to average 205c/kg. Leaner cows sold from 165-196c/kg. Heavy bulls topped at 240c/kg.