The heat drew a bigger than expected yarding of almost 4000 cattle at NVLX Wodonga, with a further 4000 stores due to arrive on Thursday for the weekly store market.
Despite a good body of feed across the Riverina producers offloaded both prime finished cattle and store conditioned yearlings unwilling to take a punt on the drying spring conditions.
The vealer sale was erratic and prices were affected by as much as 21c/kg, however fresh calves did attract the better competition. European veal and their crosses made from 320-349c/kg.
The trade cattle market opened cheaper, with trade steers selling 21c easier, the better covered 400-500kg making from 292-315c to average 313.2c/kg.
The trend was more severe for the heifer portion where prices dropped 28c/kg it followed in line of cheaper trends at other selling centres in Victoria. The main lines of 400-500kg heifers made from 268-323c to average 287.9c/kg.
Prices for feeder steers also slipped due in part to rising numbers being offered direct to feedlots. The cheaper market encouraged increased feedlot competition from Queensland across the 400-500kg weight range, helping cement a floor in prices. This weight ranged topped at 334c to average 311c/kg.
It was more of the same for feeder heifers due to limited demand. Prices dropped 24c, with feeder heifer’s 330-400kg averaging 283c/kg.
Heavy grown steers and bullocks sold 15-28c/kg cheaper. The better finished pens of heavy grown steers made from 300-324c, while bullocks averaged 293c/kg. The cheaper export market motivated feedlots from Queensland to purchase steers in the weight range of 500-600kg. The general run of steers destined for feedlots made from 290-307c to average 299c/kg.
The cheaper trend continued in the cow market according to National Livestock Data where heavy well finished cows shed 28c/kg to average 244c/kg. Leaner grade prices fluctuated selling 25c/kg lower. Leaner grades made from 212c- 250c/kg. Heavy bulls sold 10-20c cheaper making up to 300c/kg.
HAVE YOUR SAY