Wagga Cattle Market Update: Fluctuations Ahead of Public Holiday

Market Overview

With the upcoming public holiday next Monday, the Wagga cattle market has experienced notable fluctuations, influenced by varying levels of buyer participation. Although not all export buyers were present, those that attended exhibited selective purchasing behavior. This led to a mixed trading environment characterized by sporadic price movements across feedlots and domestic processors. Despite these fluctuations, robust demand persisted for Angus cattle, which helped stabilize prices across a spectrum of livestock categories.

Steers and Heifers Performance

In this week’s trade for steers and heifers weighing between 400-500kg, numbers improved, with prices fluctuating between 458 to 558c/kg. Feeder steers attracted interest from a limited group of buyers, particularly straight-bred Angus, which saw strong bidding. However, competition was not as fierce for other breeds. Medium weight steers sold for 445-542c/kg, while lighter weights ranged from 420 to 565c/kg.

Conversely, feeder heifers faced a reduced pool of buyers, leading to less vigorous orders. Lightweight heifers saw a price decline of 8c, selling within the range of 454 to 485c/kg, while medium weight feed heifers fetched prices from 433-486c/kg. Light weight steers (200-280kg) experienced varying demand depending on breed, with prices ranging from 410-602c/kg.

Export Market Insights

On the export front, limited numbers were available for processors, with the cost of heavy steers and bullocks selling between 450-488c/kg. The cow market faced a price correction, particularly affecting well-finished types, which dropped by 27c to a range of 386-428c/kg. Leaner cows weighing under 520kg experienced a more significant decrease of 55c, with prices now dwindling to between 280-388c/kg.

Conclusion

The ongoing market dynamics underscore the current volatility while highlighting the ongoing demand for quality Angus cattle. With the public holiday approaching, buyers and sellers will be closely monitoring these trends in the coming week.

Market Reporter Leann Dax.

Source: NLRS Click here to view the full Wagga report on the NLRS website.