Markets

AuctionsPlus offering surges, but clearance rates soften

Beef Central, 10/02/2018

Part of a big line of Droughtmaster and Santa cross backgrounder heifers out of Blackall being offered due to dry conditions, these 11-15 month olds averaging 268kg sold for $755 this week.

 

CATTLE numbers on AuctionsPlus surged to 10,201 head this week, reflecting the prolonged dry conditions across many regions.

Prominent among listings, and reflecting the still desperate conditions across large parts of Queensland, were numerous lines of cows and calves and PTIC cows out of the state’s central west and northern regions. Many carried assessor and vendor comments referencing ‘extremely dry conditions’ as underlying reasons for sale. While some found buyers at reasonable rates, other remained unsold, either attracting no bids, or remaining below reserves.

Out of Blackall in Queensland’s central west, four lines of Enniskillen Pastoral Co Droughtmaster cross backgrounder heifers totalling 598 head, 12-18 months of age sold from $600 (two lines averaging 202kg, sold to buyers at Tenterfield, NSW) to $755 for a heavier line of 138 heifers averaging 318kg for $860. Two other lots totalling 240 head, averaging 258kg, attracted no bids, with a reserve of $735.

While some welcome rain earlier in this month across good parts of eastern Queensland and northern NSW stimulated some interest from restockers, Friday’s Queensland/NSW weekly sale saw 55 of 94 lots either passed in or failing to receive a bid – a rate of 58 percent. Forecasts of more heatwave conditions in some areas of eastern Australia this week did not help.

Some large consignments from herd dispersals in NSW, VIC & SA also boosted numbers this week. The ‘off’ week for weaner & yearling sales didn’t deter offerings, with 1950 head listed, indicative of continued pressure to destock.

PTIC females this week sold to a top of $1845 and averaged $1544, up $144 on last week. A line of 19 to 20 month old Bongongo Angus blood heifers from Coolac, NSW topped the market for this segment.

Proven breeders continue to be sought after in southern states, selling to a top of $1720. Mixed age cows averaged $1275 and sold to $1500, for a line of 3-9 year old PTIC Angus cows from Walcha, NSW.

Most cows and calves listed were from Queensland. A line of Brangus cows from Hughenden, aged 24-30 months made $1640. With 82kg calves at foot sired by Wagyu bulls, they were purchased by buyers from Grafton, NSW.

A line of 132 Brahman & Brahman X cows with their second calf at foot from Prairie, north Queensland made $1320.

In other larger Queensland sales, a selection of 225 females from Barcaldine and Isisford, consisting of predominantly Santa & Santa X cows & calves and PTIC females. A line of 3 to 4 year old cows with 202kg calves at foot made $1350, while mixed aged PTIC cows made $950.

A line of mixed age Angus cows and calves aged 4-9 years, from Wangaratta, VIC sold for $1900.

The Maiden Creek herd dispersal from Wollomombi, NSW, offered 560 PTIC Angus females and 14 Angus herd bulls, for a 100pc clearance. Three and a half year old cows topped the female offering at $2010, while the bulls sold to a top of $6500.

The South Taunta Angus herd from Tintinara, SA was dispersed, with a total of 340 PTIC females and 200 weaner heifers offered, for a 100 pc clearance. A line of 4-5 year old cows topped the females at $1980, while the weaners sold to a top of $1140 or 325c for line aged 8-10 months.

The Baanenuc herd from Skipton, VIC was partly dispersed, offering 104 black baldy cows & calves, including a line of four year olds topping the offering at $2230, with 200kg calves at foot.

Angus steers from Braidwood, NSW, weighing 198kg sold to a top of 383c or $755. The vendors sold two lines, with the heavier portion averaging 230kg returning 370c or $850.

In Tasmania, future breeders topped this week’s market, with Poll Hereford x Friesian heifers from Chudleigh in the states north, aged 15-16 months returning $1200 or 315c/kg. In WA, weaners sold to a top of 342c for 5-6 month old Angus weaners, from Manjimup. Yearlings averaged 451c/dressed and slaughter bulls averaged $1468 or 311c. Slaughter cows were well supplied, averaging $1197 or 390c.

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

  • Steers less than 250kg sold from 337-382c to average 363c/kg; while heifers sold from 281-297c to average 291c
  • Steers 250-300kg sold from 283-342c to average 312c; while heifers sold from 243-314c to average 285c
  • Steers 300-350kg sold from 299-329c to average 312c; while heifers sold from 270-310c to average 294c
  • Steers 350kg + sold for 253c; while heifers sold from 230-325c to average 285c

Steer Highlights

Angus steers 5 to 6 month old, 198kg, from BRAIDWOOD, NSW sold for 383c/$755

Droughtmaster steers 9 to 16 month old, 298kg, from TALWOOD, QLD sold for 303c or $900

Brangus steers 12 to 15 month old, 300kg, from CECIL PLAINS, QLD sold for 308c/$925

Santa/Shorthorn steers 13 to 15 month old, 345kg, from MERRIWA, NSW sold for 308c/$1060

Heifer Highlights

Angus heifers 7 to 9 month old, 351kg, from TINTINARA, SA sold for 325c/$1140

Angus heifers 8 to 9 month old, 258kg, from GUNDAGAI, NSW sold for 314c/$810

Santa heifers 13 to 18 month old, 337kg, from Thangool, QLD sold for 285c/$960

Droughtmaster/Hereford heifers 11 to 17 month old, 319kg, from BLACKALL, QLD sold for 270c/$860

  • Source: Report includes content issued by AuctionsPlus

 

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