Yarding 6000  Change -1000

Numbers remained high after last week’s public holiday, compounded by a week of extremely hot weather. The overall quality of the yarding was mostly secondary, with trade cattle in the 400–500kg range offered in limited numbers while heavy cattle were in reasonable supply. Most of the usual buying group were at the sale but not all operated to their usual levels. The market lost some of the intensity seen two weeks ago as feedlot buyers became more selective across secondary categories. Angus cattle continued to attract interest, but not at the price levels observed earlier, and restockers were noticeably less active with few prepared to push feedlots and backgrounders. There were a lot of calves off cows under 200kg in the sale, due to feed diminishing in some regions. The top pen of 46 claves weighed 196kg and sold for 556c/kg.

Trade steers and heifers sold to a smaller field of processors, fetching between 410–499c/kg. Lighter weight steers returning to the paddock in the 200–280kg bracket slipped by 48c, making from 365–518c to average $1043/head. Feeder steers in the 400–500kg category eased by 7c, trading from 410–491c/kg, while lighter-weight feeders dipped 24c to average 457c/kg. Feeder heifers attracted a large pool of buyers but saw prices soften. Lighter weight 330-400kg dipped by about 7c to average 429c/kg, and medium weights ranged from 400–439c/kg.

A good-quality offering of heavy steers and bullocks had most processors chasing weight, lifting prices for the younger well finished steers. Heavy steers improved by around 17c, making from 400–482c/kg, and bullocks were unchanged to 4c cheaper selling from 400–473c/kg.  Heavy feeder steers sold to a smaller group of feedlot buyers which resulted in prices slipping by 22c to average 476c/kg. Cows presented a mixed yarding with all weights and grades on offer. Heavy cows were 13c cheaper, ranging between 362–392c/kg, while leaner cows under 520kg experienced fluctuating trends with restockers providing a price floor for younger types. Leaner cows under 520kg to suit processors fetched 315–367c/kg.

Market Reporter Leann Dax.

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