Out of Blackwater, Central Queensland, these 134 weaned Black composite (Brangus/Angus/Ultrablack) steers 237kg at 5-10 months made 442c/kg on Friday, while their 88 weaned heifer sisters averaging 218kg made 341c/kg. The same vendor also offered red composites of similar age 5-10 months. The first line comprising 116 steers averaging 243kg made 412c, while their 108 heifer sisters 224kg made 327c.

MEDIUM and lighter weight steers and heifers generally rose in c/kg value last week, in a yarding of 11,548 cattle on AuctionsPlus. The offering size was up marginally on the previous week, while overall clearance eased to 77pc, down 10 percentage points.

Steers again underpinned the market, accounting for 44pc of the total offering, with 5124 head listed, down 11pc on last week. Breeding stock also declined to 2550 head, while heifers comprised 33pc of listings at 3850 head, up 4pc on last week.

The heifer market delivered mixed results, while breeding stock demonstrated resilience with strong demand for in-calf females.

Listings were concentrated between NSW and Queensland, which together accounted for 89pc of the national offering. NSW contributed 5204 head (45pc of total), down 12pc on last week, while Queensland lifted to 5041 head (44pc of total). Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia provided smaller contributions, with Victoria up 27pc to 979 head.

On the buying side, Queensland emerged as the dominant purchaser, securing 4146 head (47pc of total purchases), up 46pc on last week. NSW buyers acquired 3536 head (38pc of purchases), down 27pc on last week, while Victorian buyers purchased 914 head, representing a 31pc decline. The interstate trade remained active, with Queensland’s strong buying interest supporting the market’s overall performance.

In the steer markets, although offering only a small catalogue of 91 head, steers less than 200kg posted the strongest gain, lifting 87c/kg 497c/kg, although only half the offering sold.

The 200-280kg category produced an offering of 1959 head, clearing 86pc, to lift 12c/kg the average 472c, while 280-330kg steers cleared 80pc of an offering of 1686 head, easing 5c/kg to average 447c.  Steers 330-400kg lifted 37c to average 468c, clearing 73pc of an offering of 768 head.

Heavy feeder weight steers +400kg lost 3c/kg to average 467c, clearing 86pc of an offering of 620 head.

Among larger steer lines offered this week, 152 Santa weaned steers 281kg at 6-9 months from Blackall, western Queensland made 461c/kg, while nearby, another 152 weaned steers – this time Droughtmasters averaging 245kg at 7-9 months – from Jericho, made 489c/kg.

Out of Blackwater, Central Queensland, 134 weaned Black composite (Brangus/Angus/Ultrablack) steers 237kg at 5-10 months made 442c/kg, while their 88 weaned heifer sisters averaging 218kg made 341c/kg. The same vendor also offered red composites of similar age 5-10 months. A line of 116 steers averaging 243kg made 412c, while their 108 heifer sisters 224kg made 327c.

The heifer market was more subdued overall. Lighter heifers less than 200kg bucked the trend, surging 133c from a low base to average 464c, although numbers were limited to 340 head, clearing 89pc.

The 200-280kg heifer category dropped 5c to average 366c, with the offering of 1730 clearing 82pc.

Heavier heifer categories showed mixed performance. The 280-330kg range lifted 39c to average 390c, while heavy feeder weights +400kg, lost 6c to average 328c.

A line of 16 Angus heifers 22-26 months averaging 553kg From Piallaway, NSW, returned $2525, or 456c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Tamworth, NSW.

Breeding females

Breeding females delivered some strong results, particularly for in-calf females. A large offering of 1020 PTIC heifers cleared 75pc, advancing $34 to average $1830/head, while PTIC cows gained $87 to average $1962 at a robust 91pc clearance.

Cows and calves showed mixed results, with SM cows and calves posting a significant $374 gain to $2229, while SM heifers & calves lost $441 to average $2439.

From Deniliquin, NSW, a line of 18 Angus/Angus cows aged 24 to 26 months old and weighing 497kg returned $2,860/head, or 576c/kg lwt, and will travel to a buyer in Tullibigeal, NSW.

From Rodgers Creek, QLD, nine Shorthorn and Shorthorn cross cows 2-4 years averaging 440kg returned $2740/head and will travel to a buyer in Silverdale, QLD.

Source: AuctionsPlus