These 57 EU-eligible Angus backgrounders weighing 325kg out of Tallangatta in northeastern Vic made 368c or $1197 last week

GOOD quality cows and calves out of NSW sold to $2390 while Victorian Angus backgrounder steers topped 368c in a holiday-shortened Auctions Plus trading week last week.

With no regular Friday sales held due to Easter, most transactions last week took place via the Wednesday cattle sale on March 23.

The short trading week, reduced processor kills and interrupted delivery schedules had a big impact on numbers, with cattle numbers dropping to 2324 head on offer at last Wednesday’s mid-week sale. Total numbers for the week were 2375 head including a small WA offering – well back from the previous week’s 13,000 head – although there were no feature sales last week to boost numbers.

In lighter steer sales last week, Angus steers weighing 230kg listed from Macedon, Victoria sold for 376c/kg or $865, while a line of 290kg Angus unweaned steers out of Walcha, NSW made 337c/kg or $980.

In the 300-350kg range, steers sold from 320c to 368c/kg averaging 342c/kg, up 15c from last week. The top priced steers in this category were 57 EU-eligible Angus backgrounders weighing 325kg out of Tallangatta in northeastern Victoria, making 368c or $1197. Almost 200 Angus cross backgrounder steers out of Goondiwindi, Qld, made 340c ($1085) for the lighter end 314kg, and to 330c ($1171) for heavier steers 349kg.

There were fewer heifer results to report last week due to catalogue numbers. Angus heifers out of Narrabri NSW, weighing 344kg sold for 301c/kg or $1035.

Out of the Northern Territory Mount Riddock Station sold a line of 150 18-28 month old unmated Hereford heifers weighing 268kg for 269c/kg or $723 into southern NSW, while their heavier sisters, 311kg, sold for 257c/kg or $800 to Victoria.

In breeder sales, PTIC Angus heifers at Walcha NSW, made $1450 to $1455, and mixed-age PTIC cows out of Cootamundra NSW, sold for $1250. Mixed age Hereford cows with Hereford calves, out of Pittsworth Qld made $1800.

Best cow and calf money was paid for a mob of 50 young Angus cows with Limflex cross calves at foot, out of Cootamundra NSW, which made from $2230 to $2390.

In WA, a small line of trade steers weighing 355kg carcase weight sold for 487c/kg or $1726.

All sales will be held at regular times this week, with the passing of the Easter break.

Mount Riddock Station in the NT sold a line of 150 18-28 month old unmated Hereford heifers weighing 268kg for 269c/kg or $723 into southern NSW, while their heavier sisters, 311kg, sold for 257c/kg or $800 to Victoria.