Among larger lines sold on Friday, these 192 Droughtmaster heifers 334kg at 12-20 months from Hughenden, North Queensland made 470-473c/kg.

PRICES in virtually all young cattle and breeding female categories lost ground in online trading this week, where listing numbers surged 67 percent to 17,500 head.

The larger offering saw clearance ease sharply to 78pc, down 15 percentage points week-on-week.

Four of the five steer weight categories showed heavy double-digit declines in c/kg value this week.

Steers 200-280kg steers fell dramatically, by 84c to average 567c/kg, clearing 86pc of the 2160 offered. Steers 280-330kg dropped 45c to average 569c/kg, while 330-400kg steers dropped 39c to average 547c/kg (clearing 84pc of 1716 offered). Heavy feeders +400kg slipped 58c to average 558c/kg clearing 75pc of the offering of 1480 head.

The only exception to the steer price trend was seen in a smaller offering (439 head) of steers less than 200kg, lifting 31c to average 673c/kg, while recording a total clearance.

Seventy eight Angus steers 18-24 months averaging 463kg from Tamworth, NSW, returned 597c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Casino, NSW.

All five heifer weight categories also recorded price reductions – some more than 80c/kg.

Heifers less than 200kg eased 23c to average 533c/kg despite a strong 95pc clearance of the 439 offered, while 200-280kg heifers dropped 83c to average 498c/kg. The 280-330kg heifers eased 19c to 547c/kg but clearance fell to just 58pc among the 2178 offered.

Heavier heifers were less impact by the price trends, with listings 330-400kg down 8c to average 522c/kg and +400kg heifers down 8c to 515c, clearing 86pc and 78pc and respectively.

A line of 104 Angus heifers 22-23 months averaging 414kg from Guyra, NSW, returned 567c/kg.

Among larger lines sold on Friday, 192 Droughtmaster heifers 334kg at 12-20 months from Hughenden, North Queensland made 470-473c/kg.

Breeding females

Breeding female offerings were limited to only 1200 head this week.

The largest category, NSM cows & calves with 275 pairs, lost an average $246 to average $2922/pair, while NSM heifers & calves lost $240 to average $3190.

PTIC cows cleared only 58pc of an offering of 190 head, losing $89 to average $2160.

From Bombala, NSW, 50 Angus non-station mated cows & calves 6-8 years averaging 536kg returned $3050 and will travel to a buyer near Lake Cargelligo, NSW.

Source: AuctionsPlus