Cattle prices reflected the wide variation in condition of stock being sold at Wodonga market yesterday, ranging from cheaper to 7c dearer in a bigger offering of 1500 cattle.

The small field of buyers and weaker export competition generally put a halt to the dearer rates of last week. Prices for both heavy steers and bullocks were generally unchanged fetching 275-305c/kg.

Vealer quality was quite mixed to the previous sale as the pressure of ongoing dry weather showed across some pen lots. The highest price recorded was 338c for a single steer, with most pens selling from 285-332c/kg.

Prices for trade heifers did fluctuate from firm to a few cents cheaper. Trade heifers 400-500kg made 275c-306c/kg.

Yearling steers were well supplied; however weaker feedlot demand saw most steers selling at cheaper rates, back 5-10c/kg. The better-shaped steers and some grainfeds made from 286c-320c/kg.

The shortage of top quality yearling feeder steers 400-500kg contributed to a cheaper trend of 9c/kg.  Steers 330-400kg sold to a dearer rates with grainfed steers helping push prices higher, topping 315c to average 311.4c/kg.

It was a similar story for the feeder heifer market with fewer feedlots operating and only odd pens 400-500kg suitable for feeder buyers. The shortage of well-bred heifers lifted the market 7c with the bulk of the heifers selling from 275-294c/kg.

In the cow market numbers dropped marginally and all weights and grades were represented. Gains of 1 -7c were recorded as the market reacted to a larger field of buyers. Heavy cows sold from 203-239c/kg. Leaner grades were keenly sought making from 191-242c/kg.

There was some restocker demand on younger light weight store conditioned lines fetching 142-189c/kg.