Cattle prices fell again at Wagga in a reduced yarding of 3550. Hot dry conditions continue to put supply pressure on the market, with producers mostly offloading secondary condition stock.

Export cattle were caught up in a much cheaper trend owing to the higher Aussie dollar and shorter trading week in Victoria.  Bullocks buckled 17c to average 272/kg. Heavy grown steers slipped 10c with not all major processors attending or others prepared to chase younger steers past 294c/kg. The better young steers made from 280-292c, while aged steers sold to a low of 266c/kg.

Plainer conditioned medium weight steers 400-500kg was affected by the cheaper trend as they rely on feedlot competition to hold their value. Prices dipped 5c for plainer stock over this category selling at 282 -327c/kg.  Lighter weight feeder steers were unchanged   returning 290-335c/kg.

In the feeder heifer market rates remained firm for the better bred lines fetching 278-304c/kg.  The main run of secondary heifers 330-400kg fetched 285c-304c/kg.

Patchy rain across most parts of the supply area led to a lift in demand for secondary weaner steers with prices jumping 29c/kg. Well-bred steers topped at 376c to average 342c/kg. The heifer portion sold to lack lustre bidding to average 284c/kg.

Price results for trade cattle were mixed, with the extreme weather conditions reflected in the quality. Medium weight trade heifer’s lacked the quality of the previous market slipping 4c to average 286c/kg. Medium weight trade steer were in short supply selling at 303-324c/kg.

Steer vealers sold to a top of 326c/kg. with the top pen working out at $1127 to $1206

Cow numbers declined and not all buyers operated, while other companies were very selective when making purchases, steering away from over conditioned lines. Heavy cows fell 10c selling at 208-235c/kg. Leaner grades sold 10-12c cheaper making from 174-224c/kg.