In a bigger yarding at NVLX Wodonga some slaughter cattle showed a slightly softer trend this week; however feedlots and restockers continued to support suitable young steers and heifers.

Yearling trade steers 400-500kg sold 4c cheaper, due in part to a drop in quality and domestic processors being more selective. Trade steers sold from 264-272c/kg.

Yet despite the shortage of medium weight trade steers there was no upward movement for trade heifers 400-500kg with prices easing 1c/kg. The bulk of the trade heifers sold from 246-273c to average 256c/kg.

Vealer numbers continue to flow reasonably well considering the time of the year. Vealers from the Tallangatta flats ignited the bidding and the best price recorded was 327c/kg. The bulk of the European vealers sold unchanged making from 272-326c/kg. British breeds sold from 233-296c/kg. Vealer that lacked finish sold extremely well to feedlots and restocker making from 255-300c/kg.

But while feedlot activity and prices is increasing further north, local feedlots opted not to push values much higher. Prices for feeder steers were unchanged to 1c dearer across light and medium weight categories making from 245-278c/kg.

In the feeder heifer market it was more of the same with prices 1c dearer. The main line of feeder heifers sold from 237-258c/kg.

Heavy steers and bullocks sold to fluctuating prices as the market progressed. Some pens of milk and two teeth steers 500-600kg were paid premium rates which lifted prices 4c to average 262c/kg. Heavy bullocks sold to erratic bidding at times and prices were unchanged to 1c cheaper. The bulk of the bullocks selling from 250-274c/kg. Heavy heifers with weight and shape made from 245-264c/kg.

On the back of rain in the north the cow market jumped 8-12c with heavy cows enjoying the bigger price lift. Heavy cows sold from 208-228c/kg. Leaner grades sold at 185-203c/kg. A plain yarding of bulls sold 6-7c dearer making from 195-238c/kg.