According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s national livestock reporting service the market produced mixed price trends in a considerably smaller yarding than the previous sale.

A public holiday in Victoria pushed Wagga’s trade prices higher, with buyers eager to capture a market share.

The bulk of the offering was weaners and yearlings. Heavy cattle numbers remained similar and there were just over 500 cows penned.

Vealer quality slipped and the better finished pens sold from 320c to 350c/kg.

Medium weight grass finished heifers were well supplied and prices firmed as the market progressed.

Generally trade heifers sold 3c dearer to average 307c/kg. Well finished steers suitable for the trade were limited.

Buyers paid a premium for European steers and their crosses resulting in a price lift of 10c to average 337c/kg.

In the feeder market competition was solid for all well-bred lines of steers and heifers.

Medium weight feeder steers lifted 5c to average 332c/kg.

Lighter weight heifers sold firm to 2c easier making from 280c to 330c, while the medium weights slipped 4c to average 311c/kg.

There was a mixed quality offering of grown steers and bullocks to the usual group of export and domestic processors.

Strong demand from a southern feedlot helped cement a floor in prices.

The better quality pens of prime C3 and C4 steers sold 9c to 10c dearer making from 260c to 322c/kg.

It was a mixed quality yarding of cows with all weights and grades represented.

Heavy well finished cows sold 3c to 5c dearer to average 235c/kg.

The bulk of the leaner grades made from 200c to 228c/kg.