Yarding 3890 Change -145

The big dry is crushing prices. Below average rainfall continues to put downward pressure on cattle prices at Wagga and there is little relief in sight.

Agents tendered 3890 with most weaner cattle in secondary condition.  Young cattle had plenty of frame but little fat cover making it difficult to attract all buyers

Light weight cattle were discounted by both restockers and feedlots with the majority of stock less than 300kg dipping  anywhere from 10 -40c/kg with heifers wearing the brunt of the price correction. Heifers back to the paddock 200-280kg averaged $400 while the steer portion sold at 120-282c/kg to average $577 for the better conditioned stock.

Lighter weight feed steers fell 12-28c/kg, while medium weight were unchanged making from 268-303c/kg.

There was a decline in rates of 4-12c for yearling trade cattle as buyers become more selective. Trade heifers sold at 255-294c to average 278c/kg. Trade steers were few making from 290-303c/kg.

There were price falls of 20c for heavy steers and bullocks with both export and domestic buyers not prepared to chase the market. Heavy steers and bullocks sold at 250-286c/kg.

Cow prices continued to weaken with JBS Swift attending but not operating. The general trend tracked 20-30c cheaper. Heavy cows sold from 195-234c, with a single pen topping at 240c/kg. Leaner grades lost traction as the sale progressed selling at 130-205c/kg.

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