Yarding 1850 Change 920

The Wagga cattle market is heading into spring in good form, despite a bigger yarding of 1850.

The shortage of secondary steers and heifers is evident and its unknown where prices will go, due to a plethora of supply chain problems and staff shortages worldwide.

This week at Wagga medium weight feeder steers jumped 11c selling from 510c to 565c/kg.

Light  feeder steers were a hot ticket item with all buyers bidding strongly  to average 553c/kg

Feeder heifers were in reasonable supply with most weighing above 400kg. The bulk of the medium weights surged ahead 17c/kg, with 400-500kg topping at 555c to average 520c/kg.

Restockers pushed hard against back grounders in a tight weight range of 230-330kg. Well-bred steers jumped 15c to 40c selling from 530c to 745c/kg.

Trade heifers met weaker domestic processor competition due to the plainer quality.  Prices tracked 25c cheaper to average 477c/kg.

Trade steers gained 11c with the grain fed portion keenly contested. The better finished steers made from 512c to 560c/kg.

Prices drew out some top-quality heavy feeder steers, with some feedlots paying a premium for the milk and two teeth pens.  Prices ranged from 460c to 512/kg.

Bullocks and heavy grown steers to kill were in short supply distorting price  trends. The few better covered steers C3 and C4 sold from 410c to 485c/kg.

In the cow run tight bidding for the best heavy cows resulted in a spread of just 390-430c/kg. Leaner types under 530kg sold from 340c  to 371c/kg.

Market reporter: Leann Dax

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