Quality slipped at Wagga cattle sale with increased numbers of plainer store type yearlings in the offering.

Yearling heifers to slaughter were well supplied, selling to solid demand.

There was a wide-ranging weight selection of well-bred secondary steers and heifers, which sold to fluctuating price trends due to the plainer condition of some lines. Grown steer and bullocks were limited, and cow numbers were similar to the previous market.

Not all the usual export processors were in attendance, however all domestic processors were present and operating. Lot feeder competition was limited in early sales and increased midway through the market, while restockers were active over all secondary categories.

The mixed quality supply of vealers sold to a cheaper trend of 3c to 6c with the better finished pens ranging from 220c to 249.2c/kg.

Vealers which lacked finish were contested by lot feeders and restockers with prices 7c to 12c/kg cheaper. Medium weight grass finished heifers sold to steady demand to average 214.7c/kg.

Well finished medium weight trade steers were in shorter and quality slipped to the previous sale, selling 5c cheaper to average 229.3c/kg. There were increased supplies of plainer light weight secondary steers, with large lines of both weaner steers and heifers from Broken Hill.

Well-bred secondary steers suitable to turnout sold to a smaller group of buyers and prices eased 14c/kg. Well-bred light weight steers made from 208c to 236c/kg. There were several lines of light weight well-bred weaner heifers, which ignited bidding and prices were up to 16c/kg dearer.

The better bred heifers sold from 198c to 216c/kg. Well-bred medium weight C2 steers were well supplied however not all major feedlots were operating fully. The better bred lines of C2 steers made from 190c to 246c/kg. The good quality selection of medium weight feeder heifers benefited from stronger competition selling 3c higher to average 220.9c/kg.

The reduced offering of grown steers and bullocks sold to slightly weaker demand and prices were 1c to 4c/kg easier.

The better quality pens of grown steers and bullocks sold from 220c to 236c/kg.

Heavy cows were well supplied and prices strengthened for isolated sales of pregnancy tested cows in calf, which contributed to prices lifting 2c/kg. High yielding beef cows averaged 177.1c/kg. The D2 and D3 cows were well supplied and prices were 3c to 5c lower with the D3 medium weight cows averaging 164.9c/kg.

There were a few restocking orders in place and younger cows returning to the paddock made from 161c to 179.2c/kg