More than 3300 cattle were yarded at Wagga, as the higher prices of last week drove increased supplies of unfinished cattle onto the market. Price results were mixed, reflecting the plainer quality

There was high demand for light weight secondary weaner steers, with feedlots dominating this category. Young weaner steers 280-320kg to feed on made from 330-402c lifting 2c/kg.

The greater price lift was for feeder steers 330-400kg which increased 5c to average 354c/kg. Domestic processors competed strongly against feedlot buyers which aided the dearer trend.

The weaner store sale was erratic at times due to very little rain in the past two weeks. Prices for weaner steers hit 415c for a pen of Angus steers weighing approximately 210kg. Heavier weaner’s steers returning to the paddock were unchanged to a few cents cheaper to average 376c/kg.

Vealer prices were unchanged to record high of 380c for a pen of European heifers weighing 280kg. There were several sales throughout the market where prices rose above 370c/kg. Overall vealers were unchanged to 2c dearer

The mixed quality supply of trade heifers didn’t attract all domestic processors causing prices to soften 6c/kg. Medium weight heifers made from 305c to 322c/kg.

The pressure of strong feedlot competition and plainer quality saw medium weight trade steers slip 6c /kg. The better finished trade steers made from 336c-376c to average 338c/kg.

Export and domestic buyers faced off for a market share of the limited supplies of heavy grown steers and bullocks. Heavy grown steers reached a top price of 349c to average 318c/kg. Heavy bullocks lifted 10c making from 290c-325c/kg.

The high point of the export market was heavy grown heifers which reached a top price of 336c/kg for heifers weighing above 500kg, other sales of better shaped heifers ranged from 274-325c/kg.

The cow market was aided by a reduced offering and strong competition for well finished lines. Heavy cows sold 4c higher making   from 236-257c/kg. Leaner grades ranged from 217c-248c/kg. Store cows back to the paddock averaged $1143/head.