At Wagga numbers fell to 3000 and taking it with it a drop in quality.

Even with a shortage of heavy export cattle the market lacked competition for bullocks, with prices wound back 10c/kg to average 316c/kg. Top quality younger lines of heavy grown steers 500 -600kg to slaughter lifted 6c with the grain assisted portion helping drive the market higher. The bulk of the better finished steers sold from 300-338c/kg.

Heavy slaughter heifers attracted consistent competition in the export run from both major and domestic processors causing prices to lift 9c/kg. The better shaped and younger heifers made from 280-312c/kg.

The trade market continued to struggle to find well finished cattle and to compete against the higher rates offered by feedlots. Medium weight grass finished steers were limited, with domestic buyers paying to a top of 335c/kg for the gran assisted drafts. The better finished steers made from 320c-338c/kg. Competition for trade heifers 400-500kg was stronger at times which caused rates to lift 7c/kg. The main run of trade heifers 400-500kg fetched 290-324c/kg.

Another market to experience a softer trend was for well-bred feeder heifers where prices slipped 2c/kg. The bulk of the yearling offering sold to feedlots, with demand patchy at times. Lighter weight feeder’s heifers topped at 344c to average 333c/kg. Heavier weight feeder heifers 400-500kg sold to fluctuating prices trends dependent on fat cover and breeding to average 333c/kg.

Light weight feeder steers maintained last week’s rates to sell at 335-374/kg. Medium weight feeder’s steers met another head wind, resulting in a cheaper trend of 9c/kg. The bulk of the medium weights sold from 295-360c/kg.

There was good numbers of lighter weight store conditioned weaners, which attracted some bidding from local and northern restockers. There were flat spots in the market with steers 280-320 kg making from 352c-412c/kg to average $1173. Light weight heifers returning to the paddock made from 315c-392c/kg.

The cow market opened on a solid note with rates firm 5c dearer. Well finished cows sold from 234c-265c/kg. Most export companies competed for the better finished leaner categories and a run of leaner cows made from 212-248c/kg. Store cows remain a hot ticket item, benefiting from a large array of store orders. Cows back to the paddock sold at 195-244c/kg.