A shortage of well finished trade and export cattle lifted rates in a similar sized yarding of 5,150 cattle at Wagga.

The highlight of the sale was the export market when prices stepped- up another 4- 9c/kg. Young heavy steers, bullocks and heifers ignited the bidding with both export and domestic buyers keen to secure numbers. Heavy young steers 500-600 kg consistently made from 260-290c/kg. Aged steers were severely discounted making from 230-248c/kg. Grain-fed bullocks reached a top price of 288c to average 267c/kg. Meanwhile processors drove the heifer portion 9c higher selling at 221c-265c/kg.

Supply pressure built in the trade heifer run, due to the lack of finished trade steers. Trade heifers averaged 5c dearer making from 232c to 268c/kg.

Trade steers were limited and lacked quality of previous sales. The few better finished steers sold from 265-295c/kg.

The best price recorded for the limited number of vealer was 292c, while other sales ranged from 260-282c/kg. There was more interest from restockers and lot feeders for vealers lacking finish and rates lifted 3-5c higher.   Steers returning to the paddock fetched from 270-282c/kg.

Feeder steer competition picked up pace and prices for medium weight steers 400-500kg lifted 7c selling from 268-298c/kg. Lighter feeders steer rates were helped along by robust competition pushed rates up by 9c making from 258-298c/kg.

A reduction in supply of feeder heifers and more competition resulted in a gain of 20c/kg. Feed heifers sold from 240-274c/kg.

In the cow market rates strengthened 6c for higher yielding heavy beef cows. Heavy beef cows made from 185-212c/kg. Leaner grades were helped along by strong restocker demand looking to turnout cows. Lean cows to slaughter lifted 4c to average 160c/kg. Store cows sold to mixed price trends fetching 110-174c/kg cwt.