Yarding 3500 Change +400

The cattle market at Wagga is still struggling to find its feet this winter. In a bigger offering of 3500, prices continued to fluctuate on quality and who was buying.

The common trend was weaker bidding for all lines of young cattle that are in genuine forward store condition and weigh above 330kg. Stand out lines of Angus feeder steers managed to hold their form, while other breeds were discounted. Well-bred steers 330-400kg sold from 250-360c/kg. Heavier feed steers 400-500kg topped at 350c to average 321c/kg.

Feeder heifer prices fluctuated but generally trended down to 10-15c/kg.  The bulk of the feed heifers sold from 220-306c/kg.

The sell-off of lighter weight cattle below 280kg continued. Without local demand steers fell 30c/kg. Steers to turn out 200-280kg averaged $861 while the heifer portion sold from 200-300c/kg.

Trade steers numbers decreased with limited numbers showing good finish. Well finished steers sold from 250c to 330c/kg. rates for the best heifers suitable for the trade topped at 315c to average 295c/kg.

Price results for heavy steers 500-600kg were weak with rates slipping 30c/kg. The bulk of the well finished steers sold from 240-310c/kg.  The lighter end of the heavy steers was purchased by a feedlot, and they paid up to 310c/kg. Bullocks sold 40c cheaper with only one processor a volume buyer. Heavy grown heifers dipped 40c topping at 285c/kg.

Heavy cows were keenly sought, with price holding firm.  Heavy cows recorded a top price of 245c to average 224c/kg. The middle run of D2 and D3 types made from 160c to 205c/kg

Market reporter: Leanne Dax

Source: NLRS Click here to view full Wagga report on NLRS website.