The sale produced mixed price trends in a yarding of 2900.

The trade market struggled to find a stable base due to a combination of seasonal variations, a glut of box meat and consumer resistance at the shop front.

In the trade market buyers pulled back for medium weight steers and heifers 400-500kg, with sales showing a drop in rates of 8c/kg. An example of this was well finished heifers which dropped to a low of 270c before recovering later in the sale. The bulk of the heifers 400-500kg made from 270-300c/kg. Trade weight steers remain fairly limited and prices topped at 334c to average 310c/kg.

The drying season and shortage of lighter trade weights did ignite the bidding on 130 grain assisted heifers and steers. Buyers paid from 330-358c/kg.

Scarcity for well-bred secondary cattle lifted rates in the feeder market by 7c/kg. Steers 330-400kg made from 280-341c/kg. Medium weight feeder type steers were in demand from both processors and feedlot buyers and were unchanged to a few cents dearer selling at 280-337c/kg.

Weaner steers back to the paddock met with stronger demand due to a shortage of the right cattle. Light weight steers 200-280kg topped at 395c to average 360c/kg.

The winter export market continued to hold its ground as the dry season keeps a lid on numbers. Heavy steers were unchanged making from 270-306c/kg. Younger and heavier bullocks were 2c dearer making up to 287c to average 283c/kg.

A line up of 550 cows sold to strong competition, with buyers eager to secure well finished heavy types. Heavy cows were unchanged making from 244-260c, while leaner grades sold at 200-245c/kg.