Cattle numbers dipped by 1600, to 3,400 in total, In a very mixed quality offering. Increased buyer interest was evident across export categories, likely spurred by the full trading week post-Anzac public holiday last week.

Although quality remained mixed, attention-grabbing grain-assisted yearlings fuelled spirited bidding pushing rates significantly higher,

Restockers took a back seat, with active involvement from feedlots and backgrounders happening continually throughout the sale. In the trade run, medium weight steers grain assisted commanded prices spanning from 300c to 360c/kg, while the heifer portion surged by 26c, fetching between 288c and 324c/kg.

Medium weight feeder heifers saw robust demand, witnessing a 25c boost and trading from 280c to 324c/kg, with lighter counterparts peaking at 325c/kg.

Light weaner steers returning to the paddock changed hands at prices ranging from 304c to 360c/kg. Lightweight heifers weighing 200-280kg experienced a noteworthy 34c uptick, attributed to heightened feedlot interest, averaging $697/head.

In the export market, bullocks and heavy steers saw price hikes ranging from 30c to 40c, with heavy steers fetching prices between 286c and 316c/kg. Similarly, heavy heifers underwent a 40c increase and more in places, trading at 255c to 316c/kg. Heavy cows faced intensified competition, resulting in a 20 to 25c lift, with prices averaging between 230 and 256c/kg, whereas leaner cows transacted from 155 to 225c/kg.

Store cows showed price variance, fluctuating between 181c and 250c/kg.

Market reporter: Leanne Dax