Among larger lines offered this week were these 300 Angus feeder steers from Walcha on the NSW New England, 19-22 months averaging 465kg, pre-vaccinated with two doses of Bovilis MH+IBR selling in three tight weight ranges from 472-490c/kg. Some will travel to a buyer in Anakie, VIC.

CATTLE numbers rebounded this week, with 14,952 head offered across AuctionsPlus sales – a 25 percent lift on the previous week. The larger offering saw clearance ease by 13 percentage points to 73pc.

Lighter steer and heifer prices trended down in c/kg terms, while heavier categories mostly showed some gains.

Friday’s weekly weaner and yearling sale saw 9788 head listed and closed with a 77pc clearance, while the Eastern States sale had 4865 catalogued, clearing 66pc.

Feeder steers +400kg were a highlight, lifting 53c/kg to average 468c/kg or $2112. The offering of 565 head cleared 74pc, with sales (and price movement) influenced by 83pc being Angus).

Lighter steer categories experienced mixed results, with 200–280kg steers up 20c/kg to 479c/kg, clearing 83pc of an offering of 1924 head. Steers 280–330kg steers dropped 21c/kg to average 439c, clearing 74pc of the offering of 1450.

Among larger lines offered this week were 300 Angus feeder steers from Walcha on the NSW New England, 19-22 months averaging 465kg, pre-vaccinated with two doses of Bovilis MH+IBR selling in three tight weight ranges from 472-490c/kg. Some will travel to a buyer in Anakie, VIC.

Out of Nelia in Northwest Queensland, 238 Droughtmaster backgrounder steers 312kg at 12-16 months, pictured below, made 416c/kg.

A line of 56 Angus steers 8-9 months averaging 273kg from Woodhouse, VIC returned  or 480c/kg or $1310/head, and will travel to a buyer near Heywood, VIC.

The heifer market softened across the four lightest weight categories. The only outlier was a small offering of heavier heifers +400kg, rising 39c to average 397c and delivering a 91pc clearance.

At the other end of the weight scale light heifers less than 200kg fell dramatically, losing 175c/kg to average 288c, clearing 67pc, while 200–280kg heifers lost 28c to average 383c.

From Walcha, NSW 76 Angus heifers 20-22 months averaging 424kg returned 412c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Willow Tree, NSW.

Breeding females

Breeding female categories experienced solid competition for select lines, with price rises throughout. SM cows and calves lifted $192 to average $1961, while PTIC heifers lifted $79 to $1999 and PTIC cows up $184 to $2056. NSM cows and calves also improved, up $138 to $2327/pair.

Purchasing activity remained consistent across categories, with steers accounting for 35pc of total turnover, heifers 30pc, and breeding stock 33pc. Clearance softened across all categories compared to last week, falling to 78pc for steers (down 17pp), 78pc for heifers (down 10pp), and 66pc for breeding stock.

In terms of listing activity, the strongest gains came from NSW, which listed 7499 head — up 2268 head (43pc), while QLD followed with 4719 head – up 824 head (21pc).

On the purchasing side, overall numbers increased to 12,960 head, up 19pc from last week. NSW led buyer activity with 6142 head purchased – up 914 head, and SA recorded a strong +107pc lift.

Source: AuctionsPlus