Cattle prices continue to struggle under the pressure of a dry autumn and supplies of unfinished stock being pushed into the market. There were 5150 cattle yarded at Wagga which equated to 1200 fewer.

Despite the decline in numbers there was little change in buyer demand across the lighter weight categories. The hardest hit was weaners less than 300kg with prices again this week showing cheaper trends. Weaner steers 200-280kg eased 2c selling from 228-306c to average $643. The heifer portion dipped 9c to average $542 per head.

Trade cattle were once again in limited supply however the supplementary fed portion sold to stronger bidding. Trade steers jumped 14c making from 265-299c/kg. Trade heifers sold to fluctuating price trends and price were generally 4c cheaper to average 243c/kg.

There were a few more feed lot orders in place and prices rallied 3-7c/kg for the medium and lighter weight steers. The main run of well-bred steers sold from 255-293c/kg.

The feeder heifer market sold to patchy demand, with the Angus portion equalling last week’s rates. Feed heifers dipped 4-10c making from 220-267c/kg.

Buoyant is one word to describe the market for heavy steers and bullocks. The supplementary fed portion ignited bidding and prices were pushed 10-11c higher. The market reached a top of 288c for bullocks to average 278c/kg.

The cow market sold to slightly stronger price trends, owing to an extra processor from the south. Heavy cows gained 2-7c making from 185-212c/kg. The middle run of leaner cows sold from 140-172c/kg. There was plenty of drought affected cows returning to the paddock selling at 143-178c/kg.