LIGHT steer and heifer categories trended down, while heavier categories were firm or stronger in AuctionsPlus trading this week.

Cattle numbers online rose by 1000 head to reach for a total offering of 10,111, in line with trends in physical saleyards around the country which experienced an increase in numbers this week.

Southern operators continue to dominate the online market with plenty of interstate buying, as lines of stock were purchased up to 1700km away.

Weaner cattle dominated listings as stronger prices in recent weeks have rewarded those who managed to refrain from offloading earlier in winter. The Northern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Central West of NSW made up 61pc of this week’s weaner and yearling catalogue, with 4841 head offered.

There were 1200 PTIC cows offered online this week, with Northern NSW and Queensland making up much of the offering. Limited buyer demand saw prices range from $900 to $1290, with an average of $1139.

Top priced line of 3-4 year old Pine Creek blood Angus cows from Bomen, NSW were PTIC to Angus bulls. Angus cross cows PTIC to Angus bulls sold for $1210; and 19-22 month old Santa and Angus cross heifers, PTIC to Angus bulls, from St George, QLD sold for $965.

A limited offering of cows with calves at foot attracted interstate activity as South Australian buyers sourced stock from NSW and Victoria. From Warren, NSW, 5-8 year old Hereford x Angus cows with Hereford and Angus calves at foot sold for $1310; while Maree West and Ennerdale blood Hereford heifers with Angus calves at foot from Heywood, VIC sold for $1900, both lines heading to South Australia.

Light steers less than 200kg sold from 227-353c this week to average 305c. Highlights included 191kg Angus steers from Euberta, NSW selling for 353c; and a line of 177 EU-eligible Brangus steers 141kg from Clifton Station, Tenterfield, NSW, selling for 312c.

Restocker steers 200-280kg ranged from 238-333c this week to average 305c. Top price was recorded by a line of 273kg 10-12 month old Angus steers from Hernani, NSW, while 6-10 month old 212kg Angus steers from Hannaford, QLD sold for 303c.

Steers 280-330kg made from 272-379c to average 329c, up 6c on last week. Southern operators dominated the buying as 320kg Red Angus steers from Uralla, NSW sold to a southern feedlot for 328c and 322kg Angus steers from Goondiwindi, QLD sold to a buyer in Leongatha, VIC for 299c.

Feeder weight steers over 330kg sold from 293-346c to average 327c, down 6c on last week. Highlights included 382kg Angus x Santa steers from Baradine, NSW selling to a southern feedlot for 324c, 352kg Angus steers from Merriwa, NSW selling for 346c and 371kg Hereford steers from Corryong, VIC selling for 326c.

Lights heifers less than 200kg sold from 205-313c to average 253c, while heifers 200-280kg ranged from 212-316c this week, to average 269c. From Charleville, QLD, 231kg Brangus heifers made 258c and were purchased out of Central QLD, while 206kg Angus heifers from Nevertire, NSW sold to a Victorian buyer for 311c.

Heifers 280-330kg made from 237c to 329c to average 285c. Top priced line, from Condamine, QLD was a mob of 322kg Angus heifers selling into NSW, while a line of 311kg Red Angus heifers from Uralla sold into South Australia for 309c.

Feeder weight heifers above 330kg sold from 304-333c to average 317c. Highlights included 390kg Angus cross heifers from Walcha, NSW selling for 333c; 357kg Angus heifers from Condamine, QLD making 331c; and 335kg Angus heifers from Braidwood, NSW returning 316c.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold this week, by weightrange:

• Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 227-353c to average 305c, while heifers sold from 204-313c to average 254c
• 200-280kg: Steers sold from 238-333c to average 305c, while heifers sold from 212-316c to average 269c
• 280-330kg: Steers sold from 268-379c to average 326c, while heifers sold from 238-395c to average 288c
• 330-400kg: Steers sold from 293-346c to average 327c, while heifers sold from 294-339c to average 317c
• 400+ kg: Steers sold from 317-343c to average 338c, while heifers sold at 368c.

Steer Highlights

11 to 13 month old, 318kg, Angus steers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 335c/$1065

12 to 14 month old, 331kg, Angus steers from CONDAMINE, QLD sold for 326c/$1080

10 to 11 month old, 289kg, Angus steers from BATHURST, NSW sold for 371c/$1070

10 to 11 month old, 191kg, Angus steers from EUBERTA, NSW sold for 354c/$675

13 to 14 month old, 409kg, Angus steers from NEVERTIRE, NSW sold for 318c/$1300

13 to 14 month old, 409kg, Angus steers from NEVERTIRE, NSW sold for 318c/$1300

14 to 18 month old, 382kg, Angus x Santa steers from BARADINE, NSW sold for 325c/$1240

10 to 12 month old, 293kg, Angus steers from LURG, VIC sold for 379c/$1110

10 to 11 month old, 370kg, Hereford steers from CORRYONG, VIC sold for 327c/$1210

11 to 12 month old, 405kg, Angus steers from KEITH, SA sold for 343c/$1390

6 to 11 month old, 246kg, Angus steers from SPRINGTON, SA sold for 329c/$808

Heifer Highlights

12 to 16 month old, 357kg, Angus heifers from CONDAMINE, QLD sold for 332c/$1185

12 to 16 month old, 321kg, Angus heifers from CONDAMINE, QLD sold for 330c/$1060

10 to 12 month old, 390kg, Angus x Simmental heifers from WALCHA, NSW sold for 333c/$1300

10 to 12 month old, 328kg, Angus heifers from MENDOORAN, NSW sold for 323c/$1060

14 to 18 month old, 365kg, Angus x Santa heifers from BARADINE, NSW sold for 310c/$1130

10 to 12 month old, 248kg, Angus heifers from LURG, VIC sold for 308c/$765

6 to 11 month old, 233kg, Angus heifers from SPRINGTON, SA sold for 279c/$649