Yarding 2790 Change -131

Softer price trends were evident at Wagga in a smaller yarding of 2780, as the market steps closer to the annual Christmas break.

Numbers at southern saleyard have built giving buyers the opportunity to become very selective across trade and heavy weight categories. The bulk of the cattle this week suited feedlots, with very few cattle selling to the trade. Heavy export and domestic steers were in shorter supply and there were 310 cows penned.

There was higher demand for light weight secondary weaner steers with restockers the market drivers. Young weaner steers 280-320kg returning to the paddock made from 354-508c gaining 12c/kg.  There were a few more store orders in place for  steers 330-400kg  and they lifted 5c to average 432c/kg.

Secondary steers suitable to feed-on sold to a smaller group of buyers with major feedlots attending but not all operating. Medium weight steers 400-500kg slipped 14c  making from 365-429c to average 409c/kg.

The reduced supply of well finished trade heifers lifted prices 3ckg higher. Medium weight heifers selling from 355c to 396c/kg.  The pressure of  steady feedlot competition meant meat buyers focused on the heifer portion. There were a couple of sales throughout the market where prices rose slightly above 400c/kg.  Grass finished and supplementary fed medium weight steers sold 34c cheaper making from 359c to 416c/kg.

In the export run, both export and domestic buyer competition waned and the NLRS quoted prices of 8c to 11c/kg cheaper. Heavy grown steers reached a top price of 390 to average 348c/kg. Heavy bullocks made from 316c-349c/kg.

The cow market lost traction, with sales erratic and only a few processors operating. Heavy cows sold slightly cheaper to average 282c/kg.

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