Part of a line of 460 209kg Angus backgrounder heifers from Goondwindi offered in four lots, which averaged 447c/kg or $933 a head on Friday.

THE promise of a memorable spring/early summer grass growing season across large parts of eastern Australia saw clearance rates and prices remain strong on the AuctionsPlus national online marketing platform last week.

Cattle numbers were steady, albeit lower than a couple of weeks earlier as rain influences continued – producing an offering last week of 6787 head. That figure was bolstered by the Targeted Feeder sale, a Tasmanian cattle sale, and last Monday’s Bid the Grid sale.

Young cattle highlights for the week included a large line of 460 10-12 month old Angus heifers from Goondwindi, QLD offered in four lots. These 209kg heifers made an average of 447c/kg or $933 a head and went to three different buyers from NSW and QLD.

Further south heavier 12-month old Hazeldean and Kunuma blood heifers averaging 329 kg from Bairnsdale, VIC made 417c/kg or $1370.

Poll Hereford EU accredited steers from Meandarra, QLD sold well, making 433c/kg or $1110. These Warabar Park steers were 8-12 months old averaging 257 kg. Down in the Monaro, some well-bred Hazeldean blood Angus steers sold for 421c/kg or $1320. These 12-13 month old yearlings from Cooma, NSW weighed 314 kg.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold last week, by weight range:

• Steers weighing less than 250kg sold from 374c to 468c to average 427c/kg live; while heifers in the same weight range sold from 345c to 497c, with an average of 417c/kg
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 334c to 433c, averaging 406c/kg; while heifers sold from 349c to 399c, averaging 376c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 303c to 421c, averaging 388c/kg; while heifers sold from 298c to 417c, averaging 382c/kg
• Steers 350kg to 400kg sold from 375c to 402c, with an average of 392c/kg live.

Breeding cattle

Among breeding cattle, there was a decline in PTIC female numbers listed on the previous week, however this lead to intensified bidding activity.

Top price for maiden PTIC heifers was $1680, paid for 15-17 month old Angus heifers in calf to Kingarth Angus bulls hailing from Deep Creek, SA.

This line of 70 Paraway Pastoral Co-bred PTIC young Angus cows from Quambone, NSW made $1910 a head.

Young proven breeders made up the majority of PTIC females this past week. Prices ranged from $1460 to $1910, averaging $1664. The top price went to a line of 70 Paraway Pastoral Co-bred Angus cows from Quambone, NSW. These three-year-old, large-framed Wattletop blood cows were in calf to Angus bulls.

Older 5-10 year old PTIC Angus cows, estimated 611kg at delicery from Orange, NSW made $1700.

First-calvers made impressive money this past week, averaging $2073. The tops of this category were highly sought-after, and included Angus and Angus cross cows from Bingara, NSW, 21 to 30 months old and station-mated to Speckle Park bulls. Their Angus and Speckle Park calves averaged 105 kg.

Proven breeders with calves saw prices range from $1760 to $2930 to average $2260.

The top priced cows and calves were Te Mania and Glenavon blood Angus cows from Coonabarabran, NSW, 34-37 months old, joined to Speckle Park bulls and with sappy Angus calves at foot averaging 236 kg.

Targeted Feeder Sale

The fortnightly Targeted Feeder Sale held last week saw 1023 head offered from NSW, VIC and SA and all cattle were offered on a forward contract basis for delivery October through to December. The sale received 2591 catalogue views and during the sale there were 14 agents, 14 feedlots and 3 producers logged-on.

Standout prices included Angus steers from Mandurama NSW, early November delivery 372c; Angus steers, Tarcutta NSW, for mid-November delivery, 370c; Angus steers from Tooma NSW, mid-December delivery 360c; and Angus steers, Tumbarumba NSW, mid-December delivery 365c.

The Tasmanian cattle sale also returned last week with 455 head offered, sparking buyers into action. The top steer price was 433c/kg or $980, for 226 kg yearling Angus from Whitemark, TAS. The top heifer price was also from Whitemark, which went to 254kg yearling Angus and Angus cross heifers that made 334c/kg or $850.

Bid the Grid

Last Monday’s Bid the Grid slaughter sale attracted five large lots of grain and grass finished steers, heifers and bullocks, totalling 1182 head.

Two mobs of Brahman cross grainfed export steers ex CPC, 20-36 months averaging 525kg and 605kg, at Smithfield feedlot, Proston QLD, made 580c/kg against the grid, for delivery after October 23.

Two mobs of grainfed export steers totalling 330 head ex Consolidated Pastoral Co, Brahman and Brahman cross 20-36 months averaging 525kg and 605kg, at Smithfield feedlot, Proston QLD, made 580c/kg against the grid, for delivery after October 23. A line of 70 Brahman cross heifers estimated to be 511kg live after 100-days, same vendor and feedlot, made 570c for delivery after October 23.

Two lines of grassfed Brahman export bullocks, each 400 head averaging 587kg, offered by S Kidman out of Durrie, near Birdsville on farm western QLD, made 529c/kg on property, for delivery after October 14.

Two lines of grassfed Brahman export bullocks, each 400 head averaging 587kg, offered by S Kidman out of Durrie, near Birdsville on farm western QLD, made 529c/kg on property, for delivery after October 14. Note the herbage evident after recent rain.

Click here to view a full summary of Friday’s AuctionsPlus weekly sales

Source: AuctionsPlus.