The EYCI pressed higher this week, rising 2.8 per cent to 692.25¢/kg cwt.
Restocker optimism, fuelled by another favourable Bureau of Meteorology rainfall outlook and continued tight supply, is supporting eastern state cattle prices.
Rainfall predictions indicate a high chance of a wet spring across the entire eastern seaboard.
Strong east coast young cattle prices were unable to encourage similar movements in the west, with the young cattle indicator 2 per cent lower on the week at 640¢/kg cwt.
Yardings there were 29.1 per cent above the five-year average for this time of year.
The 90CL frozen cow export price was lower, closing down 2.6 per cent at 601.7¢/kg, suggesting the EYCI may not have room to probe much higher without a lift in beef export prices.