It was a wintry day at Wagga, with agents offering 4,425 cattle. The big standout was the scarcity of heavy export types, contrasted with plenty of lighter weight steers and heifers under 300kg. The usual buyers attended the sale, but exporters focused their bids on heavy heifers to fulfill orders.

Domestic buyers struggled against feedlots and were only prepared to bis on grain assisted for the bulk of their purchases.

Heavy heifers with good shape ignited the bidding selling for 280c to 333c/kg, gaining 20c/kg. Heavy steers and bullocks for processors were scarce, and aged steers or stock with horns were severely discounted, the bulk selling from 244c to 332c/kg. Trade cattle were in short supply , with steers and heifers trading  between 250c to 360c/kg.

The feeder market for steers shifted gears with a Queensland feedlot dominating the sale the Angus portion. Prices continued to climb as the sale progressed rising by 15c to 20c/kg. Medium weights ranged from 320c to 406c/kg, and heavy weights topped at 402c/kg. Feeder heifers followed similar trends, to the previous sale selling from 255c to 335c/kg. Light weight steers and heifers back to the paddock were well supplied and it was mostly competition from the north this week. Steers 200 to 280kg made from 248c to 268c easing 40c/kg. The heifer portion sold at 200c to 270c slipping 50c/kg.

In the cow market, buyers bidded strongly for heavy types particulary for cows in calf. Good heavy cows made from 230c to 260c/kg. The middle run of leaner cows sold for 160c to 210c/kg.

Market Reporter, Leann Dax