This line of quality unmated Droughtmaster heifers at Wallumbilla, QLD, 321kg at 12-16 months made $1200 or 375c/kg yesterday.

CONTINUED hot, dry conditions in many regions have had an impact on prices across most categories in a smaller AuctionsPlus cattle offering this week, where a catalogue of 7648 head was offered, back 42 percent on the previous week.

Summer rains have not been as prevalent as everyone would have hoped for and prices softened across most categories.

Heifers featured among standout lots offered from the Eastern States sale this week.

A line of quality Eversleigh and Wallace Vale blood unmated Droughtmaster heifers at Wallumbilla, QLD, 321kg at 12-16 months made $1200 or 375c/kg, while their station-mated sisters, 334kg, made $1135.

In the south, two lines of Rennylea blood Angus heifers totalling 52 head, 11-12 months from Myrtleford, VIC made $1460 or 441c/kg.

Among steer highlights, in the north a line of 200 composite type unweaned steers carrying Simmental, Santa and Hereford genetics, 4-7 months averaging 215kg from Wandoan, QLD made $910 or 424c/kg for one pen, and $915 for the second.

Part of a line of 200 composite type unweaned EU-eligible steers carrying Simmental, Santa and Hereford genetics, 4-7 months averaging 215kg from Wandoan, QLD which made made $910 or 424c/kg for one pen, and $915 for the second.

Further south at Deniliquin, NSW the annual offer of the ‘Moroco West’ (Ardenside blood) Angus steers saw heated competition. The heavier line of 140 steers 342kg at 9-10 months made $1330 or 389c/kg and the lighter line 294kg made $1255 or 427c/kg.

Highlights among young cattle sold this week included:

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 421c/kg to 471c/kg, averaging 439c; while heifers in the same weightrange sold from 350-399c, averaging 369c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 379-427c to average 407c; while heifers sold from 332-408c to average 362c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 371-489c, averaging 383c; while heifers sold from 320-441c, averaging 364c
• Steers over 350kg sold from 328-371c, averaging 351c; while heifers sold from 298-340c, averaging 328c.

Breeding cattle

Demand for PTIC females eased this week with females less than two years years down on last week’s results, averaging $1635.

This age group topped at $1650 achieved by two separate listings, including a line of Charolais from Oberon, NSW, and a line of Angus females from Willow Tree, NSW. Both were joined to Angus bulls.

Similarly, 2-4 year old females averaged $1647, with a top price of $2200. This top price went to a line of Angus females from Penshurst, VIC, which are about to drop their first calves in March. The heifers are Lawsons blood and are joined to Lawson bulls.

Proven breeders received an average price of $1800 on Friday’s eastern states sales, with a top of $2040. This top price went to a line of Hereford cows 4-5 years from Woakwine Station, Beachport, SA, joined to Injemira Poll Hereford bulls and holding both Australian and USDA organic certifications.

Top price among proven breeders this week at $2040 went to this line of Hereford cows 4-5 years from Woakwine Station, Beachport, SA, joined to Injemira Poll Hereford bulls and holding organic certifications.

Cow and calf numbers were also back on previous weeks. Majority of the cow and calf units sold this week were mixed age groups. The top prices lot, hailing from Bingara, NSW were 50 Booroomooka blood Angus cows station-mated to Angus bulls, with over half the mob pregnancy tested in calf. The Angus calves at foot averaged 116 kg.

Coming up on AuctionsPlus:

• A lineup of 324 quality PTIC heifers and cows from the Inverell district carrying Angus, Shorthorn, Brangus  and Beefmaker composite genetics will be offered on AuctionsPlus Friday March 3. The majority of the offering is Jeogla Station or Macintyre Station bred, and EU accredited. Click the link below to view video.  Contact: Keiran te Velde, Bob Jamieson Agencies, Inverell 0427 669 097.

• 150 PTIC Charbray and Brahman cows, joined to quality Charolais and Brahman bulls, account Railview Pastoral Co, Railview, Prairie, Qld. For sale AuctionsPlus Fri 24 Feb. Contact: Ashley Naclerio, Stockplace Marketing 0400 448 679
• Approximately 300 No 6 Droughtmaster steers, very good quality, average 320kg, vendor bred, no HGP, account Powermac Droughtmasters Meriula, Richmond Qld. For sale AuctionsPlus Fri 24 Feb Contact: Ashley Naclerio, Stockplace Marketing 0400 448 679
• Alpha, Queensland Wagyu breeder John Spreadborough will offer 22 Wyche Fullblood Wagyu bulls during a special Wagyu sale on Friday 24 Feb, carrying high-performance herd-building genetics combining marbling, growth and milk traits, ideal for F1 programs. Click here for details. Contact: Bob Jakins, Elders 0419 788 366.