There were weaker results for prices at Wagga in a similar sized yarding of 3700, as dry conditions continue to put supply pressure on the market.

Plainer cattle bore the brunt of the cheaper trend with buyers discounting mixed breeds up to 35c/kg. Weaner steers 200 -280kg sold to premium rates, if they were well bred and Angus. The price variance was huge, with the bulk making from 340c to 450c/kg, the equivalent of $964/head. Straight bred weaner steers 280-320kg were in short supply and they made from 290c to 401c/kg. Plain-quality heifers sold down to 305c, while the better conditioned heifers returning to the paddock ranged from 345c to 380c/kg.

The feeder steer market showed some downside last week, and still eased back a further 14c/kg. Demand for well-bred quality steers and heifers were evident at times when prices spiked throughout the sale. Steers weighing approximately 400-500kg and purchased by various feedlots sold to a top of $1695 to average $1518. Medium weight heifers to feed on were in shorter supply and demand weakened resulting in a cheaper trend of 30c to average 331c/kg.

Price trends for trade cattle reported by the National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) were quoted 8c to 21c/kg cheaper. Medium weight trades steers averaged 340c while the heifer portion sold from 298c to 331c/kg.

The best trade price was 389c/kg recorded for prime milk vealers but such sales were isolated, the bulk of the better milk calves selling from 330c to 377c/kg.

Export cattle sold to mixed price trend as meat processors were not prepared to push the market beyond 340c/kg. The better finished heavy grown steers sold 23c cheaper making from 265c to 340c, while bullocks over 600kg lifted 13c to average 326c/kg.

The cow market continued to tread water with prices softening 4c to 5c/kg for well finished beef lines. Heavy well finished cows sold from 239c to 260c/kg. Meanwhile leaner cows failed to attract to all buyers and prices were wound back 5c to average 229c/kg. Store cows rates also softened 2-6c, selling from 205c to 255c/kg.