The commencement of harvest in the Riverina didn’t deter producers, with numbers surging at Wagga to just over 4,800

Last week’s rain fuelled confidence and motivated buyers, as several new store buyers entered the market. Agents said prices were up to 15c/kg higher for store cattle, with the season on the verge of being excellent for dry land Lucerne and paddocks cut early for hay.

Restockers turned out in force, putting a solid floor in the store market for secondary weaners and yearlings. Forbes Dubbo Tamworth and Molong restockers who fatten cattle returned this week to underpin the sale. The top drafts of secondary steers 330-400kg made to 342c/kg. Buyers attending from other areas included Coonamble Albury and Wagga, who purchased large numbers between them averaging 321c/kg.

Well-bred secondary store heifers returning to the paddock met with strong competition regularly making from 300c-330c for the 200-280kg portion to average 320.4c/kg

The trade market lacked buyer demand from southern processors and prices wound back 5c-13c/kg. Medium weight steers topped at 320c to average 302c/kg. The better finished heifers 400-500kg made from 270-303c/kg.

The feeder steer market offered frequent lines of quality 330-400kg steers and rates continued to climb as the market progressed to settle 5c dearer, reaching a top price of 339c, to average 324c/kg. Feeder steers 400-500kg were mostly unchanged averaging 317c/kg.

The feeder heifer market made at least 17c/kg more for lighter weights to average 308c/kg. Medium weight feeder heifers 400-500kg lifted 6c selling from 288-310c/kg.

Grown steers rates dropped 13c/kg due to limited demand from several major domestic processors. The better quality lines attracted the best competition making from 280-306c/kg. Bullock’s prices eased 5c ranging from 290-305c/kg.

The cow market lacked the intensity of the previous sale and not all buyers attended or operated to full capacity. Heavy cows slipped 17c making from 232-255c/kg. Leaner grades sold up to 12c cheaper making from 222-252c/kg.