Yarding 4260  Change -305

There was a slight dip in numbers, mainly influenced by anticipated rain. A significant portion of the offering consisted of well-bred weaners and yearlings. While the usual buying group was present at the sale, both export and domestic processors were selective, with some well-finished cattle absorbed by feedlots. The usual feedlot orders were operating along with a major northern feedlot returning after a lengthy absence. Local and southern restockers remained active across all lightweight categories.

In the trade market, steers and heifers were limited and competition was patchy. Most sales ranged between 410-507c/kg. Medium weight feeder steers saw keen interest, with well-bred Angus steers, vendor bred achieving premium prices, selling between 440-534c/kg. Lighter weights 330-400kg intended for feeding fetched prices between 445-500c/kg. Feeder heifers were in reasonable numbers, with medium weights remaining firm to slightly cheaper, trading from 450-492c/kg. The average for light weight steers returning to the paddock stood unchanged at $1242, while the heifer portion averaged $1013/head.

In the export sale, younger steers attracted solid competition from feedlots, making from 470-500c/kg. Heavy steers and bullocks destined for processors sold in the range of 400-470c/kg. The offering of cows was mixed in quality, with a smaller number of processors leading to some companies not operating at their usual levels. Heavy cows saw a gain of 10c, selling between 355-398c/kg. In contrast, leaner cows weighing under 520kg faced erratic demand, with prices slipping by 10-18c/kg. Restockers were operating across the younger cows offered in each agent run paying between 250-354c/kg.

Market Reporter Leann Dax.

Source: NLRS Click here to view full Wagga report on NLRS website.