Among larger lines offered this week were 538 Limousin x Droughtmaster steers ranging from backgrounder to feeder weights, from Prairie, North Queensland. One line of 231 backgrounder steers 338kg at 14-18 months made 332c/kg, while a run of 168 trade steers 382kg at 16-20 months made 325.5c/kg, and 109 feeder steers 428kg at 16-24 months made 338c/kg.

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle offerings increased by 49 percent to 12,494 head this week.

Heavier steer prices declined in c/kg terms, while some other categories of heifers and breeding cattle recorded gains.

Processor/lotfeeder activity dropped to just 2pc from 8pc last week.

The biggest movements in listings were in Queensland and NSW, where the offering jumped 1154 and 1922 respectively. Purchasing behaviour increased across all states, but the biggest gain was recorded in NSW.

Steers

Heavier steer prices declined this week with steers 330-400kg down 14c/kg to 359c, recording a clearance of 96pc and heavy feeders +400kg down 7c to 355c, clearing 100pc of a small offering of 163 head.

A large offering of 3500 steers less than 200kg saw prices lift 9c/kg to 411c.

From Barraba, NSW, 25 Angus steers 7-8 months averaging 279kg returned $1160/head or 416c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Guyra, NSW.

Among larger lines offered this week were 538 Limousin x Droughtmaster steers ranging from backgrounder to feeder weights, from Prairie, North Queensland. One line of 231 backgrounder steers 338kg at 14-18 months made 332c/kg, while a run of 168 trade steers 382kg at 16-20 months made 325.5c/kg, and 109 feeder steers 428kg at 16-24 months made 338c/kg.

Heifers

Heifer prices were largely positive this week, with lightweights less than 200kg jumping 43c/kg to 362c for a 100pc clearance.

Heifers 330-400kg rose 71c to average 366c, with a clearance of 84pc.

From Dandaloo, NSW, 22 Angus heifers 8-12 months averaging 313kg returned $1070/head or 342c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW.

Breeding females

SM Cows recorded the highest gains week-on-week, with an additional $439/head recorded for an average price of $1934 and 31pc clearance.

A 29pc smaller yarding of SM heifers and calves dropped an average of $812/head to $1578 or 36pc clearance.

From Greymare, QLD, 14 Santa x Droughtmaster heifers 18-24 months averaging 447kg returned $1400 and will travel to a buyer in Kenmore, QLD.

Prices as at 2pm Friday July 19