At wagga numbers lifted to 3,500 cattle in a plainer quality offering reflecting the dry seasonal conditions.

Even with a shortage of export cattle the market lacked competition from major export processors causing the market to slide 12c/kg. The cheaper trend was obvious at the commencement of the sale with only two processors operating fully. Top quality younger lines of heavy grown steers 500 -600kg to slaughter made from 280-310c/kg.

Heavy heifers 500kg plus sold to a cheaper trend of 13c, with the bulk of the aged heifers averaging similar rates to heavy cows. The better covered and younger heifers sold from 270-298c

The trade market continued to struggle to find well finished steers and to compete against the higher rates offered by feedlots. Medium weight grass finished steers lifted 7c, with domestic buyers paying to a top of 361c/kg. The better finished steers made from 320c-358c/kg.

Competition for trade heifer’s 400-500kg faded, influenced by weaker feedlot demand. Well finished heifers dipped 8c/kg. Medium weight trade heifers fetched 255-344c/kg.

A market to experience a dearer trend was for well-bred feeder steers where prices jumped 5c/kg. Lighter weight feeder steers topped at 374c to average 360c/kg. Medium weight feeder’s steers firmed topping at 361c to average 341c/kg.

Price results in the feeder heifer market tended to be erratic at times, with competition declining at times through the sale.   Most heifer categories were 7-9c cheaper selling at 300-345c/kg.

There was good numbers of lighter weight store conditioned weaners, and the red hot market of past weeks appeared to lose some heat this week. There were several flat spots in the market and plainer conditioned steers bore the brunt of the cheaper price trends. Steers 280-320 kg made from 338c-387c/kg to average $1105. Light weight heifers returning to the paddock made from 230c-346c/kg with some sales up to 20c cheaper.

The cow market opened on a strong note for well finished types with rates mostly unchanged. Well finished cows sold from 238c-254c/kg. The better covered lean cow sold from 212-244c/kg.