A reduced yarding of cattle at Wagga Wagga was offset by nominal export competition from major northern abattoirs and some feedlot operators. Less than 4200 cattle were yarded as recent storms in the Riverina enticed some producers to hold unfinished lighter weight stock.
Price results tended to be mixed, reflecting supplies, and the mixed quality on offer. Plainer non-descript cattle sold 12c-20c cheaper with the bulk of those types selling to restockers and manufacturing. A lot of off- the-top lines of weaner cattle were 10c cheaper. The 280-320kg weaner steers were in very short supply, with buyers struggling to fill orders. The better bred lines sold from 225c-249ckg. Weaner heifers were plainer in quality and buyers paid from 180c to 223c/kg.
Competition improved because of the outstanding run of fresh well finished vealers, with prices lifting 6c/kg. All domestic buyers faced off for a market share paying from 220c to 266c/kg.
The bigger lines of yearling steers suitable to feed on, gave the best indication of price trends. Over 750 yearling steers sold to feed lots, selling from 212c to 253c/kg with the medium weight steers averaging 230c/kg. Prices in general were 10c lower with the lighter weight portion 3c-5ckg easier.
Sagging demand from feedlot buyers pressured values for yearling heifers in all weight categories. Medium weight heifers suitable to feed fell 11c, making from 205c to 227c/kg. Medium weight heifers to slaughter ranged from 192c to 233c a cheaper trend of 6c/kg.
Despite the upheaval further north, with power outages at major abattoirs, price only softened slightly. A smaller field of mainly southern companies operated with young milk and two steers underpinning the market, benefiting from steady feedlot competition. Heavy grown steers to slaughter eased 3c making from 195c to 238c, while bullocks sold 9c cheaper to average 209.2c/kg.
The cow market experienced a fade out with prices 6c-9c/kg lower. A smaller group of buyers competed, and bidding was subdued. Heavy well finished cows sold from 178c to 191c with a single European cow reaching a top price of 195c/kg. Leaner grades ranged from 155c to 184c/kg. Store cows sold up to 15c cheaper making from 140c-183c/kg.
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