NUMBERS increased by 560 with vendors selling a total of 3260 at the Wagga cattle market on Monday.
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According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s market reporter, Leann Dax most cattle were secondary types, with a fair percentage showing the effects of the season.
Yearling steers and heifers, suitable for the trade, were once again in short supply. Grown steer and bullocks’ numbers declined, as did quality.
There was a smaller field of buyers in attendance.
The seasonal shortage of vealers saw prices improve, with the best B muscled veal selling from 296c to 312c/kg.
Domestic buyers were very reliant upon trade heifers for fat cover and finish.
Medium weight trade heifers sold 5c dearer to average 286c/kg.
Trade steers were limited and all steers finished on supplementary feed, selling from 308c to 315c/kg.
Weaner cattle sold to weaker price trends due to the absence of a boat order and decreasing restocker competition.
The bulk of the steers returning to the paddock sold from 167c to 288c/kg.
Secondary light weight heifers in good condition made from 160c to 230c, averaging $471/head. There was a reasonable number of feeder steers.
Both categories of light and medium weight steers sold to most of the usual buyers.
Medium weight feeder steers eased 4c making from 275c to 313c/kg.
Feeder heifers were 1c to 4c cheaper selling from 275c to 293c/kg.
Light weight heifers struggled to gain traction, which resulted in prices decreasing 12c to average 255c/kg.
Domestic and export processor competition weakened as aged cattle prices eased.
The better quality pens of prime finished steers and bullocks made from 280c to 297c/kg.
Cow numbers increased and demand lifted over all categories. Heavy cows topped at 262c to average 246c/kg.
The D3 medium weight lines were in demand among all processors to average 212c/kg. Lean cows gained 11c to 13c, with the D2 lines averaging 183c/kg.
- Photos and market reports at www.therural.com.au