Follow up rainfall across eastern Australia last weekend, albeit patchy, combined with the continued decline of the Australian dollar, has assisted cattle prices to move higher this week, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.

MLA reports that demand from export processors has continued to improve, while there has also been renewed enthusiasm from restockers, helping to underpin the market.

While the cattle market doesn't usually peak in September, the recent favourable rainfall, especially across northern NSW and southern Queensland, has come at a critical time, kicking along pasture growth and giving much needed soil moisture for crops.

With a few warmer days trailing the most recent rain, producers have increasing supplies of feed to utilise, helping to underpinning the store portion of the market.

Prices across the eastern states were dearer in the saleyards and direct-to-works.

The benchmark EYCI jumped 12.5¢ to finish Thursday at 363.5¢/kg (carcase weight).

This was driven largely by restockers, whilst the trade and feeder steer indicators were up by 9¢ and 6¢, to 192¢/kg and 189¢/kg (live), respectively.

In the export cattle section, medium and grown steers, along with cows, all reached annual highs.

Some export processors are opting to lighten weight requirements in order to fill slaughter sheets, which has assisted demand across the medium steer category.

The medium steer indicator rose 10¢ this week, while the Japan ox price gained 7¢, finishing Thursday at 192¢ and 204¢/kg, respectively.

Cow prices were again pushed higher, with good export returns due to the weaker A$ being passed on to producers, as the national cow indicator gained 10¢, to 156¢/kg.