FOLLOWING recent rain, restockers were operating strongly in AuctionsPLus on Friday, where cattle listings surged 47 percent to 18,054 head.

An unusually large bidding audience of 336 people were active on either the young cattle or general sales, and the market absorbed the extra volume with ease, with clearance firm at 89pc. Ninety eight percent of lots attracted a bid and 16,006 head sold, even as average value over reserve eased $6 to $147/head.

All well-supported young cattle categories showed price rises in c/kg terms.

Steers were offered at 6,749 head and cleared at 88%. Steers 0-200kg fully cleared at 240 head for the small offering, and posted the strongest week-on-week gain, lifting 79c to average 797c/kg or $1,356/head, the highest since mid 2022. The 200-280kg bracket attracted plenty of attention rising 72c to 692c/kg or $1,689/head on a 96% clearance for the 1,145 offered. Steers 280-330kg gained 11c to 645c/kg or $1,936/head, clearing at 87% across 1,507 head. The 330-400kg line cleared at a strong 99%, lifting 45c to 596c/kg or $2,197/head. Steers over 400kg made up the largest bracket at 2,329 head, firming 15c to 571c/kg or $2,487/head, though clearance dropped 22 points to 77%.

From Thargomindah, QLD, a line of 126 Angus steers aged 10 to 16 months old and weighing 374kg returned $2,250/head, or 602c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Tamworth, NSW.

From Armidale, NSW, a line of 34 Angus steers aged 6 to 8 months old and weighing 206kg returned $1,980/head, or 964c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Dorrigo, NSW.

Heifers were offered at 6,184 head and cleared at 83%, softer than the Steer result. The 200-280kg bracket led the category, lifting 16c to average 563c/kg or $1,336/head on a 93% clearance across 1,332 head. The 280-330kg range rose 14c to 545c/kg or $1,706/head on a 95% clearance. Heifers 330-400kg had the largest offering at 2,134 head, edging up 3c to 523c/kg or $1,929/head, but cleared at just 60%. Heifers 0-200kg fully cleared at 759 head, though price eased 64c to 539c/kg or $974/head. Heifers over 400kg slipped 1c to 508c/kg or $2,128/head on a 91% clearance.

From Northcliffe, WA, a line of 23 Angus heifers aged 7 to 8 months old and weighing 304kg returned $1,460/head, or 480c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Burra, SA.

Breeding females

Breeding stock offerings totalled 977 head with clearance at 86%. NSM Heifers & Calves averaged $3,525/head, up $61 week-on-week, on a 73% clearance for the 142 head offered. SM Cows & Calves fully cleared for the 158 head offered, gaining $340 to $3,465/head. NSM Cows & Calves lifted $283 to $3,188/head on an 88% clearance.

PTIC Cows gained $232 to average $2,763/head and fully cleared, while PTIC Heifers jumped $622 to $2,51/head, also with a 100% clearance.

From Collie, NSW, a line of 66 Angus station mated Cows & Calves aged 4.5 years old and weighing 590kg returned $3,675/head and will travel to a buyer in Binalong, NSW.

From Longwarry, VIC, a line of 11 Hereford PTIC cows aged 3 to 3.5 years old and weighing 495kg returned $2,760/head and will travel to a buyer in Winnaleah, TAS.

New South Wales supplied the largest share of listings at 7,884 head with clearance sitting at 80%. Queensland offered 3,371 head at a 90% clearance, and Victoria offered 1,487 head at a firm 97%. Tasmania listed 290 head clearing at 96%.