This offering of 63 Angus PTIC heifers 494kg at 20-22 months from Gravesend NSW NW Slopes and Plains made $1900 or 385c/kg on Friday.AUCTIONSPLUS cattle listings dropped 39 percent this week, with 13,567 head offered. Clearance rose to 80pc from 63pc last week.

The market was buoyed by strong buyer competition, particularly for breeding females. Recent widespread rain across some southern grazing regions may have helped drive renewed confidence, with clearance rates lifting and prices strengthening across some categories.

In terms of purchasing and listing activity, Queensland increased its purchasing by 35pc, securing 4000 head, while NSW recorded a significant 35pc decline in purchases to 6730, and SA also scaled back.

On the listings front, Queensland was the only state to post a rise, lifting numbers by 11pc. Listings dropped 50pc in New South Wales, and 28pc in Victoria.

The weaner and yearling sale accounted for 9500 head this week and delivered an 89pc clearance.

Steers in the 280–330kg range experienced the biggest lift, with prices averaging 32c/kg higher at 434c, recording an 89pc clearance rate from an offering of 1590 head, highlighted by strong demand from restockers.

Heavier feeder steers +400kg lost 9c/kg to average 419c, with only a 44pc clearance of a small offering of 371 head. Steers 330-400kg averaged 416c, down 13c on last week, with a clearance rate of 87pc from an offering of 733 head.

Light steers less than 200kg lost 36c/kg this week to average 372c, clearing only 25pc of a small offering. Steers 200-280kg yarded almost 2500 head, clearing 95pc to average 436c, up 25c on last week.

Among steer highlights, 42 Angus steers aged 5-7 months averaging 210kg from Bundarra, NSW returned 514c/kg lwt $1080/head, and will travel to a buyer near Dirranbandi, Queensland.

In the heifer market, entries 280–330kg lifted by 4c to average 338c,clearing 88pc of an offering of just over 1000. Heifers 330–400kg gained 25c to average 351c, supported by a 93pc clearance of 703 head.

Heifers in the 200–280kg range rose 33c to average 368c, clearing 83pc of listings.

From Holbrook, NSW, 78 Angus heifers nine months averaging 183kg returned 449c/kg or $820/head, and will travel to a buyer near Warialda, NSW.

Breeding females

Breeding lines were the standout this week, with recent widespread rain in some areas encouraging producers to begin or accelerate herd rebuild plans.

PTIC heifers surged by $442 to average $1941, clearing 89pc of listings totalling 761 head. PTIC cows also strengthened, gaining $104 to average $2195, clearing 56pc of 1200 catalogued.

NSM heifers and calves climbed $215 to $2531, while SM heifers and calves posted the largest jump of the week – up $715 to $2135 – with a 100pc clearance.

Fifty Angus cows 31-33 months averaging 562kg From Molong, NSW, returned $2400 and will travel to a buyer near Gunnedah, NSW.

An offering of 63 Angus PTIC heifers 494kg at 20-22 months from Gravesend NSW NW Slopes and Plains made $1900 or 385c/kg.

Source: AuctionsPlus