MLA reports that in Queensland and northern NSW, there has been minimal rain since the end of summer, with conditions drying rapidly as temperatures fall heading into the winter months.

Southern NSW and northern Victoria have received only minimal falls of rain, with much more needed to halt the turn-off of core breeders and to reinvigorate feed supplies, MLA says.

Western Victoria and south east SA have been the main beneficiaries of recent rain, with crops and pasture growth encouraging farmers.

As a result at physical markets over the past week there has been a much larger proportion of unfinished and lower yielding lines.

Accordingly, there have been limited lots of well-finished trade steers and heifers, particularly in the medium-weight yearling and heavy vealer categories.

Those that have been fitting processor specifications have been highly sought after, with sharp gains in prices at some centres, MLA reports.

The majority of D-muscled vealers and yearlings were cheaper than last week, particularly light weights selling to processors.

Restockers were active, but many of the lower yielding lines were undesirable, except cases where supplementary feeding was a viable option for the buyer.

Slaughter grades were in demand when specifications were met; however, the very plain end of the yarding received reduced rates, mainly due to the increased numbers in this category.

Prices for medium weight D2 yearling steers averaged 135¢/kg (live), a fall of 8¢/kg on last week, while similar weight C3s averaged 173¢/kg, a gain of 8¢/kg.

The price differential was more pronounced in the light weight category, with D1s averaging 97¢/kg, and D2s 126¢/kg, both around 13¢/kg cheaper.

In comparison, C3s were 7¢/kg dearer at 170¢/kg to slaughter.

A similar trend was evident in the yearling heifer portion, a large variance particularly noted for light weights.

Overall, the national trade steer indicator gained 7¢/kg and the feeder steer indicator was firm, to finish Thursday at 177¢/kg and 163¢/kg, respectively.

Accordingly, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator made gains of 1.75¢/kg from last week, to settle at 312¢/kg (carcase weight).