PRICE trends for young cattle offered on AuctionsPlus this week were mixed, with the steer market well back on all weight ranges except for steers 350+kg which saw a 4c/kg rise.

Heifer prices were erratic, with the most significant change seen in heifers less than 250kg which saw a 20c/kg rise.

Listing numbers held steady on last week, with 10,598 head catalogued across all sales. Despite the large offerings, clearance post-auction on Friday afternoon sat at 40pc, with post-auction negotiations looking to lift that clearance over the weekend. The weaner and yearling sales attracted the majority of the week’s listings, with 6486 head listed.

PTIC and joined female numbers this week totalled 1753 head, but despite the increase of listings there was only a 29pc clearance.

Numbers were boosted by a large offering of 1656 joined heifers from the McClymont family’s AJM Pastoral, Etta Plains, Julia Creek, comprising  almost 600 PTIC heifer over six months pregnant and 900 PTIC heifers under 6 months pregnant, offered in 18 lots. These composite bred heifers 27-44 months averaging 365kg were PTIC to composite bulls.

According to AJM Pastoral’s assessing agent, Stockplace Marketing, 32pc of the mob sold at auction to average $950, with a further 47pc of the offering sold immediately after the auction. The remaining 336 Black Brangus X and 144 Brahman X PTIC over 6 months heifers will be re-offered next Friday, 9 November.

This sale was part of an annual offering for vendors AJM Pastoral. The heifers were joined to 100pc Black composite Angus, Senepol, Brahman combination bulls to produce tropically adapted, flatback, growth and fertility driven cattle.

“The large scale offering intends to provide opportunity to purchase quality young breeders for all interested re-stockers, both large scale and small,” the agent’s listing comments said.

The vendors, Alister and Joanne McClymont of AJM Pastoral run a large scale breeding and fattening operation in North Queensland between Burketown, Julia Creek and Richmond. Their cattle operation consists of a large scale composite herd with genetics including infusion of EBV chosen Angus, Charolais, Senepol and Brahman with a tropically adapted, growth and fertility focus. These cattle are bred in an environment that can handle the tough northern dry, hot conditions whilst maintaining a marketable beast with a flat back and short hair suited to a majority of markets.

Among other joined females offered on AuctionsPlus this week a line of Shorthorn heifers 18-23 months averaging 363kg and PTIC to Shorthorn bulls from Warren, NSW sold for $700.

Cow and calf numbers exploded this week with a total of 2021 head offered, and buyers were active with a 50pc clearance post auction.

First-calvers sold for an average of $1430 and sold to a top of $1920. Top price went to a line of heavyweight Angus cows from Euroa, VIC aged 28-30 months averaging 526kg and not rejoined.

Another notable line offered out of Goondiwindi, QLD was a line of Kidman and Waitara blood Angus cows 25-37 months averaging 425kg, with Angus calves at foot and PTIC to Angus bulls.

Proven breeders this week sold for an average of $1370 and a top of $1555 for a line of Angus and Angus cross cows, 36-48 months averaging 421kg, with Angus calves at foot, from Coonamble, NSW. From Ensay, VIC a line of Angus cows 30-42 months averaging 501kg, with Angus calves sold for $1525.

Older cows and calves sold for an average of $1215 and sold to a top of $1750 for Onslow blood Angus cows from Cootamundra, NSW, 7-8 years averaging 574kg and PTIC to Milwillah and Onslow Angus bulls. Another highlight was a line of Angus matrons 9-11 years with calves from Coolatai, NSW which sold for $1350.

Over in the west, 100pc clearance was seen with Angus and Angus cross mixed sex yearlings aged 15 to 17 months, weighing 252kg dressed selling for 518c/kg; whileAngus steers aged 16 to 17 months, averaging 365kg dressed, sold for 445c/kg; and Angus bulls 4-8 years averaging 531kg sold for 332c/kg.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold this week, by weight range:

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 231c to 381c to average 314c; while heifers sold from 181-294c to average 260c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 292-327c to average 315c; while heifers sold from 236-380c to average 276c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 193-330c to average 304c; while heifers sold from 261-334c to average 293c
• Steers +350kg sold from 240-294c to average 277c; while heifers sold from 287-312c to average 300c.

Steer Highlights

3 to 4 month old, 160kg, Angus steers from WALLENDBEEN, NSW sold for 382c/$610

12 to 14 month old, 427kg, Poll Hereford steers from TUMUT, NSW sold for 285c/$1215

6 to 10 month old, 196kg, Angus/Droughtmaster steers from CUNNAMULLA, QLD sold for 316c/$620

9 to 11 month old, 286kg, Brahman steers from EMERALD, QLD sold for 308c/$880

12 to 13 month old, 203kg, Hereford steers from PORT FAIRY, VIC sold for 327c/$665

7 to 8 month old, 211kg, Angus steers from FERNBANK, VIC sold for 323c/$680

12 to 14 month old, 324kg, Angus steers from DUBBO, TAS sold for 321c/$1040

16 to 17 month old, 675kg, Angus steers from BOYUP BROOK, WA sold for 241c/$1623.

Heifer Highlights

10 to 12 month old, 276kg, Angus/Angus heifers from TAMWORTH, NSW sold for 381/1050

13 to 14 month old, 324kg, Angus/Angus heifers from MOREE, NSW sold for 335/1085

13 to 16 month old, 353kg, Angus/Angus heifers from INVERELL, NSW sold for 313/1102.87

8 to 13 month old, 207kg, Hereford/Hereford heifers from ROMA, QLD sold for 294/610

10 to 13 month old, 304kg, Angus/Angus heifers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 286/870

12 to 13 month old, 348kg, Angus/Angus heifers from SHEPPARTON, VIC sold for 261/910

13 to 14 month old, 253kg, Angus/Angus/Hereford heifers from WOODSIDE, VIC sold for 247/625

Source: AuctionsPlus