Cattle markets in the past week have been somewhat erratic and Wagga experienced the same fluctuating price trends, depending on quality and competition.

Agents yarded 2920 cattle 210 more than the previous market.

The quality of the yarding slipped, with producers offloading unfinished stock in varying condition on the back of drying conditions and cheaper price trends.

Select lines of well-bred steers are still commanding over 350c despite the cheaper trend of 9c/kg. Medium weight steers 400-500kg made from 300c-363c to average 333c/kg. Lighter weight steers 330-400kg were unchanged to average 354c/kg.

The price correction for feeder heifers was similar under the weight of bigger numbers and reduced competition. Feeder heifers sold up to 9c cheaper to average 329c/kg.

Bidding for trade steers was much weaker and only top drafts of well finished steers attracted spirited bidding. Prices were generally 18c cheaper, with 400-500kg steers topping at 370c to average 336c/kg.

The heifer market was erratic at times, with buyers not willing to lift rates much past 320c/kg. Buyers holding select butcher orders competed strongly for the top pen, paying up to 366c/kg. Trade heifers 400-500kg sold 15c cheaper while the lighter trade weights 330-400kg slipped 24c averaging 307c/kg.

Weaker demand from a major processor and another absent from the market drove much of the price falls for export cattle, with heavy grown steer and bullock rates dropping 7-22c/kg. Heavy steers 500-600kg topped at 310c to average 302c/kg. Bullock quality varied and aged bullocks were discounted. Younger bullocks made from 290-302c/kg with the main run averaging 289c/kg.

The cow market continued its steady price trend of the past couple of weeks. Heavy cows were unchanged to 2c dearer to average 251c/kg. The better covered leaner grades made from 218-236c/kg. Plainer types were keenly sought by restockers and the bulk of the plainer types sold from 198-258c/kg.