According to Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service numbers increased and quality was fair to plainer.

The market struggled to find a base price owing to a large percentage of the offering being in secondary condition.

Trade cattle were limited and domestic processors were subdued across all classes.

Grown steer and bullock increased however quality declined, with quite a number of steers requiring more finish.

It was the usual spring buying group in attendance.

Restocker demand fluctuated, which was a reflection of the varied condition of stock.

Price results were mixed for vealers, with the better finished lots making from 218c to 277c/kg.

There were only limited numbers of trade heifers, with the bulk purchased by a large field of feedlot buyers.

Heifers suitable for the trade sold from 246c to 275c/kg.

The bulk of the steers 200-280kg returning to the paddock eased 21c, making from 212c to 276c/kg.

The heifer portion made from 185c to 228c/kg. The feeder steer and heifer market sold to weaker competition, with buyers very reluctant to push the market.

Feeder steers generally ranged from 205c to 309c/kg.

Feeder heifers 330-400kg were keenly sought however at slightly cheaper prices.

The main run of feeder heifers sold from 190c to 276c/kg.

In the export market processors once again backed away from competition, resulting in a cheaper trend of 8c to 9c/kg.

Pens of prime finished steers to slaughter made from 223c to 276c/kg.

Steers to feed on sold 10c cheaper, to make from 250c to 286c/kg.

Not all buyers operated in the cow market, while other processors were more selective.

Heavy cows dipped 12c, to average 211c/kg.

The D3 medium weight lines sold 8c cheaper, making from 170c to 208c/kg.

Store cows were well supplied, making from 154c to 181c/kg.