Among larger steers lines offered on Friday were these 328 weaned Droughtmaster steers 206kg and 244kg at 7-10 months from Springsure, Central Qld that made 496c for the heavier end and 540c/kg for the lighter mob.

CATTLE listings increased by 17 percent to 11,521 head this week on AuctionsPlus, with most steer and heifer categories trending down in c/kg value.

Buyer competition was more subdued, with clearance easing to 89pc – still within the top 25pc of historical performance, reflecting strong buying interest despite the softer value over reserve.

The weaner steer/heifer price gap tightened to just 0.7pc, keeping heifer prices close to steer values, while the feeder premium improved to -3.05pc, both ranking in the top 25pc in historical terms.

Queensland recorded the largest increases in both listings and purchasing activity this week. Listings from the north rose by 707 head to total 5036, while purchases surged by 1552 head to 3837. New South Wales also posted strong gains, with listings up by 689 head to 4716 and purchases increasing by 220 head to 4328.

Medium and heavier steer categories all fell by double-digits in c/kg terms this week.

Steers 280-330kg dropped 19c/kg to average 524c, clearing 94pc of an offering of 1353 head.

Steers 330-400kg fell 30c/kg to average 496c/kg, with a clearance of 80pc of the offering of 1519 head. Feeder weight steers +400kg lost 26c/kg in value tro average 485c, clearing the smaller offering of 608 head.

Lighter steers 200-280kg produced a large yarding of 2146 head, clearing 88pc, with prices unchanged from the previous week at 552c. The only improver among steers this week was for a small offering of 190 steers less than 200kg, gaining 54c/kg to average 629c, while clearing 90pc.

Ninety Angus steers 11-12 months averaging 231kg from Marulan, NSW returned 666c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Nowendoc, NSW.

From Gatum, VIC, 67 Angus steers 9-11 months averaging 199kg returned 664c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Moe, VIC.

Among larger young cattle lines offered this week, 288 weaned Brahman heifers 250-257kg at 10-15 months from Cloncurry, Northwest Qld made 323c/kg, while 328 weaned Droughtmaster steers 206-244kg at 7-10 months from Springsure, Central Qld made 496c for the heavier end and 540c/kg for the lighter mob.

In the heifer market, lighter lines fared worst, with heifers 200-280kg down 16c/kg to average 445c/kg, clearing 94pc of the offering of 2254 head. Heifers 280-330kg lost 6c to average 445c, clearing the offering of 613, while heifers 330-400kg lifted 60c/kg to average 475c, with the offering of 1089 head clearing 86pc.

Heavy feeder heifers +400kg lost 6c to average 450c, clearing the small offering of 319 head.

Breeding females

In the breeding female categories, all segments showed only modest offering sizes.  PTIC heifers and cows were among the best performers, with the heifers lifting $294 to average $1844, while a small offering of PTIC cows lifted $605 to average $2456.

Station mated heifers lost $836 to average only $1352, while station-mated cows and calves lost $312 to average $2442.

From Wellington, NSW, a line of Angus PTIC heifers 15-18 months averaging 397kg returned $2420/head and will travel to a buyer in Cowra, NSW.

Source: AuctionsPlus