Cattle numbers at NVLX Wodonga increased to 2,800 as producers moved to capitalise on the higher rates of last week. However, the increased numbers and mixed quality did cause some price variations throughout the sale.

The smaller field of export buyers and weaker domestic competition generally put a halt to the dearer rates of last week, for heavy grown steers 500-600kg. Prices eased 6c to sell at 272-299c/kg. Heavy bullocks were keenly sought by both southern and northern processors which pushed price a few cents higher for the top quality lines. Bullocks sold from 270-295c/kg.

Vealer quality slipped to the previous sale, with higher temperatures taking a toll on some pen lots. The highest price recorded was 329c with most pens selling from 285-322c/kg.

Prices for trade heifers did fluctuate from firm to a few cents dearer. Trade heifers 400-500kg made 272c-292c/kg. A few pens of silage fed heifers and off irrigation weighing from 330-400kg sold from 300-314ckg.

Yearling steers were well supplied, however stronger feedlot demand saw most steers sold to feed-on. The few steers which sold to the trade made from 292c-314c/kg.

The shortage of top quality feeder steers at selling centres gave the market momentum this week, with prices jumping 5-10c/kg. The trend was evident over all weight classes, with steers regularly selling from 290-326c/kg.

It was a different story for feeder heifer market with fewer northern feedlot orders in place. Rates eased back 8-15c with the bulk of the heifers selling from 272-292c/kg.

In the cow market numbers increased to 1040 and all weights and grades were represented. Gains of 7 -11c were recorded as the market reacted to wet conditions in Queensland. Heavy cows sold from 230-151c/kg. Leaner grades were keenly sought making from 205-244c/kg. There was increased restocker demand on younger light weight store conditioned types to average 232c/kg