This line of 72 Angus and Angus x Hereford EU feeder steers from Drik Drik, Victoria, 16-17 months averaging 490kg returned $2120/head, or 433c/kg on Friday
Cattle listings increased 13 percent on AuctionsPlus last week, reaching a solid 14,065 head.
The lighter end of the steer and heifer market saw declines, while mid to heavier weight steers experienced gains. However, the mid to heavier weight heifer market showed more variation.
The larger offering created more opportunities for buyers to spread their risk, resulting in a 5pc drop in the clearance to 67pc.
Listings increased in most states, with the exception of Queensland, which saw a decline of 1230 head, listing 4860. New South Wales recorded the largest gain, listing 1848 more head than last week, bringing the total to 6668 head.
Processor/lotfeeder activity remained steady this week at 7.3pc, with 693 head of the sold offering picked up. Buyers showed particular interest in steers 330-400kg and 400kg and above, while also acquiring a few mid-weight heifer categories.
The decline at the lighter end of the market was evident in the 20c/kg liveweight drop in the AuctionsPlus Young Cattle Indicator, which averaged 352c/kg liveweight. On a positive note, the 280-330kg steer category rose 3pc compared to last week’s prices, finishing at $1265.
The price gap between weaner steers and heifers widened again this month, with weaner steers enjoying a 19pc premium over their heifer counterparts. Meanwhile, the premium between weaner steers and feeder steers narrowed further this week, coming close to parity for the first two weeks of August, with only a 7c/kg premium for weaner steers.
When examining this week in isolation, feeder steers (400kg and above) on a cents per kilo basis enjoyed the highest average for all steer categories. Feeder steers averaged 412c, 6c above the 280-330kg steer category, which averaged 406c.
A highlight of the week was for a line of 72 Angus and Angus x Hereford EU feeder steers from Drik Drik, Victoria, 16-17 months averaging 490kg that returned $2120/head, or 433c/kg and will travel north to NSW. This lot was highly contested, with three buyers from two states competing.
Steers
Steers 280-330kg registered a smaller offering this week, with 1452 head, down 29pc from last week, while prices lifted by $37 to average $1265/head, and a 82pc clearance was achieved.
From Braidwood, NSW 90 Angus steers 10-11 months averaging 321kg returned $1390 or 434c/kg.
As mentioned previously, steers 400kg and above have sustained their strong run, with the 700 head lifting $81 on last week to average $1830 or 412c/kg. From Tintaldra, VIC 75 Angus steers 11-13 months averaging 453kg returned $1931, or 427c/kg.
Heifers
Heifer categories mostly declined in value this week, with the 280-300kg category the only one to buck the trend and post some modest gains. The category recorded 973 head, which averaged $1193 head – an increase of $12 from last week.
From Bonshaw, NSW 35 Angus heifers 10-12 months averaging 306kg returned $1260 or 411c/kg.
Heifers 400kg and above also posted the highest average c/kg price across all the heifer categories, with the tight 372 head averaging $1497 or 352c/kg, falls of $93 and 29c respectively. The tight supply was keenly sought, achieving an 85pc clearance. From Cassilis, NSW 49 Angus heifers 20-24 months averaging 457kg returned $1690 or 370c/kg.
Breeding females
Breeding females recorded falls throughout most categories, with SM heifers and cows the only two to record price increases on last week.
Station mated cows averaged $2048, an increase of $387 for the 347 head on offer. From Murrindindi, VIC, Angus cows aged four years old averaging 789kg returned $2430.
Station mated heifers averaged $1942, an increase of $580 for the 344 head on offer. From Barraba, NSW two lines of 69 Angus heifers 33-48 months averaging 486kg returned $2260.
Prices as at 2pm Friday, August 9.
Source: AuctionsPlus