Among larger lines of sold this week, these 266 Hereford backgrounder steers 288kg at 11-14 months from Longreach, made 480c/kg or $1380.

LISTING numbers fell 21 percent on Auctions Plus last week, where 13,296 head were catalogued, clearing 77pc.

Price trends on young cattle were impossible to establish, as AuctionsPlus tables published (see below) included only breeding females at the time this item was published.

Here’s what is known about the steer offering.

Steers less than 200kg cleared all 300 head offered, averaging 565c/kg, down 52c/kg on the previous week. Steers 280-300kg sold 98pc of listings, averaging 509c/kg, down 29c/kg on rates published the previous week, while 330-400kg steers averaged 510c/kg despite clearance easing to 79pc.

The 400kg+ steer category cleared 95pc, averaging 508c/kg, up 27c/kg.

Heifer markets mirrored the strong steer trends. Light heifers 0–200kg cleared all lots averaging 434c/kg, down 112c on the previous week,, while 1814 heifers 200–280kg sold heifers, sold to average 445c/kg, down 20c/kg. Heifers 330-400kg  averaged 478c/kg, down 3c/kg, with heavier 400kg+ lines averaging 467c, down 3c.

A line of 58 Angus non-station mated heifers & calves 24-30 months averaging 374kg from Oberon, NSW, returned $3160/pair and will travel to a buyer near Rylstone, NSW.

Among larger lines of sold this week, 164 weaned Angus x Ultrablack heifers 241kg at 6-11 months from Longreach, Western Queensland, made 443c/kg or $1070, while 266 Hereford backgrounder steers 288kg at 11-14 months, also from Longreach, made 480c/kg or $1380.

Further south, 133 Angus feeder steers 494kg at 12-18 months from Gunnedah made 550c/kg.

Breeding females

Breeding females generally showed improved value this week, on small offerings.

PTIC cows averaged $2361, while PTIC cows & calves averaged $3000/pair. NSM cows & calves averaged $2787/pair with a 75pc clearance, and SM heifers & calves averaged $3514.

Clearance rates were strongest through New South Wales and Queensland, which together accounted for more than 11,000 head. Central Western NSW was a highlight, with 91pc of its 1043 head sold. The North West Slopes & Plains achieved a 97pc clearance, while the Riverina cleared 87pc.

Queensland vendors offered 5700 head, selling 87pc. Western Queensland led with a 95pc clearance across 2400 head, while Central Queensland sold 92pc of offerings. Southern Queensland, while still the second largest supplier, saw a softer clearance at 77pc.

Meanwhile, Southern Victoria cleared 89pc of its listings, while South Australia achieved a full clearance in the Lower South East at $166/head above reserve, while Tasmania recorded steady results, with North Eastern Tasmania clearing 98pc.

Source: AuctionsPlus