Markets

Wagga sale 9 Mar 2015: Numbers lift by 1500

Leann Dax, 10/03/2015

The influx of numbers created mixed price trends on Monday at Wagga Wagga in NSW. Numbers increased by more than 1500 as farmers continue to battle with low water surface levels, and attempted to take advantage of the dearer price trends recorded last week.

The one positive trend was quality well-bred weaner steers, which made up to 252c/kg. Softer competition from restockers and feedlots for a range of young cattle led to some weaker results, while plain light weight store conditioned steers were harder to sell. Steers under 320kg averaged 226.6c a cheaper trend of 6c-12c/kg Store orders were in place from as far away as Tamworth and the local area.

Weaner heifer quality slipped this week, with increased numbers in store condition. The plainer quality led to prices dipping as low as a 1.70c while the better conditioned lines made from 190c to 206c/kg.

Feeder steers were once again well supplied, with two feedlot companies underpinning the market for the medium weight portion. Leaner cross breed steers sold up to 10c cheaper making from 199c to 215c, while well-bred bred Angus and Hereford steers ranged from 220c to 244.2c/kg to average $1023/head. Sales of lighter weight steers varied, with opportunistic feedlots at times the market drivers. The better sales of 280-320kg ranged from 224c-244c/kg.

Similarly the market for light feeder heifers waned with prices easing 2c-6c, while the medium weights were unchanged. The bulk of the medium weight heifers made from 202c-228c/kg.

Prices for top quality slaughter cattle were generally firm, however prices did fluctuate and off the top trade cattle generally eased a few cents per Kilogram. The best trade prices recorded were for fresh well finished vealers which sold from 250c to 261.2c and were firm to 4/kg dearer for the heifer portion. Any milk calves which lacked finish sold to restockers and lot feeders making from 220c to 252c/kg.

Grown steers and bullock numbers rose and prices were generally unchanged to 4c dearer. In dollars per head terms heavy bullocks sold to $1485 or the equivalent of 227c/kg. Heavy grown steers were keenly sought by both southern and northern processors making from 210c to 239.6c/kg.

This week in the cow market there was some bounce for store cows, while heavy well finished lines sold to lack lustre competition. Better sales of heavy cows included European cross lines which made from 176 to 185.6c a cheaper trend of 11c/kg. Leaner grades were 9c to 14c cheaper making from 146c to 176c/kg. There was solid support for young light weight cows with store orders in placed from Cooma, Albury and the local region.

View full NLRS sale reports from markets around Australia in Beef Central’s markets section

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