Yarding 4830 Change +1510

Higher prices drew more cattle to market this week, with another very good quality yarding. Most cattle carried plenty of condition, and buyers favoured stock with frame over more finished types. Feeder steers led a solid market, particularly vendor-bred Angus steers and heifers. Light cattle were scarce, with most sold remaining in the local area. The usual domestic and export buyers attended. Domestic buyers were selective, with buyers preferring heifers 400-500kg, with very few steers purchased for the trade.

Trade steers and heifers followed cheaper trends, selling from 440-525c/kg with domestic processors extremely selective. Fewer feedlot and restocker buyers were operating, but several major feedlots competed keenly for numbers and some meat companies were buying stock to hold for the Christmas period. Feeder steers weighing 330-400kg rose 28c, selling from 475-610c/kg, with sales below 500c/kg rare. Medium-weight feeder steers improved 7c to make 500-588c/kg. Restockers were active on 330-400kg steers, which sold from 500-606c/kg.
Feeder heifers were well supplied. Lighter weights 330-400kg made 456-538c/kg, averaging 495c/kg, while medium weights eased 4c to sell from 442-506c/kg. Restockers showed strong interest in heifers, with those bought back to the paddock making 446-582c/kg and averaging $1632/head.

Export quality cattle were excellent across all weight categories. Heavy steers and bullocks sold from 465-515c/kg, while heavy heifers over 540kg made 452-488c/kg. Another excellent offering of mostly heavy cows sold from 395-430c/kg, down 8c/kg. Leaner cows under 520kg were scarce, selling from 382-413c/kg.

Market Reporter Leann Dax.

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