The price rally after recent rain was maintained at Wagga Wagga.

More than 3900 cattle were yarded as the higher prices and the Labour day public holiday last Monday, drive increased supplies of cattle onto the market. Price results overall were mixed, reflecting the spring conditions.

There was high demand for light-weight secondary weaner steers, with restockers from two states dominating this category. Young weaner steers 280-320kg returning to the paddock regularly made from 390-418c lifting 10c/kg.

The greater price lift was for lighter weight store heifers, with rates jumping 30c to average 408c/kg.

Vealer prices were mostly unchanged to record a top price of 419c for a pen of European cross steers. There were several sales throughout the market where prices rose above 400c/kg.

The increased supplies of well finished heifers caused prices to fade 9c/kg. Medium weight heifers to slaughter sold from 326c to 376c/kg. Plainer shaped young heifers averaged 295c/kg.

A combination of tightening trade supplies at other selling centres due to wet conditions and less steers on feed, pushed prices 17c/kg higher. The better finished trade steers made from 370c-418c to average 392c/kg.

There was a price correction of 19c for heavy steers 500-600kg, with export buyers not prepared to push rates. Heavy grown steers reached a top price of 377c which was one of two isolates sales above 370c/kg. The general run of steers sold at 290-358c/kg. Heavy bullock was limited and all steers were well finished selling from 322c-351c/kg.

A high point of the export market was heavy grown heifers which reached a top price of 356c/kg for heifers weighing 510kg, other sales of better shaped heifers ranged from 290-345c/kg.

The cow market had the wobbles, with not all processors operating fully which caused prices to dip 8-11c/kg. Heavy cows sold to fluctuating price trends making from 258-283c/kg. Leaner grades ranged from 238c to 285/kg cwt.