Rain depleted numbers yesterday at Wagga Wagga. The yarding of 3470 was almost 2000 less than last week and was mostly made up of secondary yearlings.

All buyers were active in a dearer market for secondary yearlings, while domestic and export prices varied depending on quality. High yielding supplementary fed stock were paid premium prices for the better finished lines, with all southern processors having to compete strongly against feedlot buyers for a market share.

The market was strong for yearling steers 330-400kg with recent rain motivating restockers. Medium weight steer rates lifted 38c selling to a top of 331c/kg, with the better drafts making from 300-330c/kg. The heifer portion returning to the paddock also sold to high demand, following in the footsteps of their brothers, which saw prices rise by 6c to average 294c/kg. There was several store orders in place for well-bred splitter calves less than 200kg, which pushed rates to a top of 358.2c with the better drafts averaging 335.4c/kg.

Feeder steers posted big gains following the rain across NSW and Victoria. Medium weight steers 400-500kg sold 18c dearer making from 290-323c/kg. Lighter weight steers 330-400kg were keenly sought which resulted in a dearer trend of 16c to average 318.2c/kg

The feeder heifer market lacked the quality of previous sales with plenty of lines winter effected. Rates however did continue to show improvement in places. Light weight feeder heifers sold from 279-302c while the medium weight gained 4c making from 255-290c/kg.

The big prices movers this week were medium weight trade heifers in response to the reduced supplies, with southern processors driving the market higher. Trade heifers jumped 12c to average 307.6c/kg. Medium weight trade steers gained 5c ranging from 300-338c/kg.

Grown steer and bullock prices fluctuated within a few cents per kilogram of last week’s rates. The highest price on Monday was 329c, while most sales of better finished steers and bullocks made from 309-320c/kg.

Cow rates were another big improver, with prices up to 10c/kg dearer. Leaner grades made from 176c-238c/kg. Limited supplies of heavy well finished cows sold 8c higher averaging 246c and topping at 258c/kg.