CATTLE numbers for the week saw a total yarding of 18,943 head, a jump of 5186 from last week.

Despite the growth in catalogue size, there was an 89 percent clearance across all commercial cattle sales. Cows with calves at foot saw prices boil with the average jumping by $196 this week.

Western Australia saw a large increase in listings (largely due to one northern vendor), while New South Wales claimed the title for the largest offering with 7113 head. Like last week, Southern Queensland was Top purchasing region securing 3572 head, followed by Riverina NSW and Central West NSW purchasing 1219 and 1213 head respectively.

Among feature lines, Fossil Downs Station from Fitzroy Crossing, WA offered more than 1600 head of Droughtmaster steers, aged 6 to 12 months, averaging from 155kg to 230kg (note: original AuctionsPlus summary said 330kg, not 230kg). The lighter Fossil Downs steers saw a top price of 642c/kg, while the heavier steers made 575c, to Queensland and New South Wales buyers.

More than 500 head of Fossil Downs Droughtmaster heifers were also offered, aged 7-16 months. The heifers averaging 200kg achieved 536c while the 155kg heifers made 547c, both lots remaining in WA.

Cows with calves at foot averaged $2836 this week, ranging in price from $1560 to $3700, with a 95pc clearance. Top price went to a line of three-year-old NSM heifers with 4-7-month old calves at foot, offered by Bill & Anna Gialouris, Robertson NSW. The vendor bred restocker package will make the trip to Malabar, NSW.

Another highlight was a line of four-year-old NSM Angus cows and calves from Bathurst, NSW which returned $3610, and will now travel to Camden, NSW.

PTIC cows were firm averaging $2126 this week with prices from $1760 to $2910. Top price went to Hardie Pastoral Co, Wallendbeen, NSW with a line of Bongongo & Milwillah bloodline cows PTIC to Bongongo bulls. The three-year-old cows ranged from 585kg to 765kg and now make their way to Mangoplah, NSW.

PTIC heifers saw a softening price trend, averaging $147 cheaper than last week at $1937. Prices ranged from $1230 to $2580, and achieving an 87pc clearance. Top line of Angus PTIC heifers Hardie Pastoral Co from Wallenbeen NSW averaged 543kg. Another highlight was Santa heifers offered by McAlary Agriculture Warren NSW which made $2430 and will now travel to Blackall QLD.

Young cattle

This week’s steer offering increased to 5609 head, 1277 head more than last week.

Steers averaging less than 200kg sold from 302c to 678c and average 588c, selling 62c dearer than the previous week. Top line of steers consisted of three-month-old Friesian calves from Finley, NSW. Offered by P & H Gray the steers averaged 89kg and will journey to a buyer in Darlington Point, NSW.

Steers 200-280kg increased on last week, gaining 15c to average 525c with prices ranging from 485c to 591c. From Toobeah, QLD JH Fairfax & Son achieved top price with a line of Angus cross steers 12-13-months averaging 249kg. Another highlight includes a line of Murray Grey steers from Coonalplyn, SA 5-8 months averaging 216kg which sold for 573c.

Steers 280-330kg gained 9c to average 466c with prices selling from 371c to 560c. Offered by A Stewart, the top priced line consisted of 9-10-month-old Angus steers averaging 330kg. The steers will travel from Ilford, NSW to their new home in Camden, NSW. From Jandowae, QLD a line of Santa cross steers, 12-15 month averaging 296kg sold for 486c to a buyer in Goondiwindi, QLD.

Feeder steers 330-400kg were steady this week to average 432c, with prices between 344c and 473c. Hailing from Glenburn, VIC, the top line consisted of 13-14-month-old Angus averaging 386kg. The vendor bred steers offered by Larkfield Pastoral will journey to a buyer in Ellinbank, VIC.

Steers 400kg+ sold from 342c to 433c this week down 5c on last week at 397c. Top line of Angus cross steers were 16-20 months averaging 424kg,offered by P.A & D Blain from Wyuna, VIC, which will head interstate to Murray Downs, NSW. From Augathella, QLD a line of Droughtmaster steers16-20 months averaging 405kg sold for 410c.

Weaner and yearling heifer listings also increased this week, up 2068 head to 7911 head. Heifers less than 200kg sold from 414c to 639c, on average 32c back from last week at 438c. Top line consisted of Angus heifer calves five months averaging155kg came from East Kangaloon, NSW offered by Ballymena Past Co, which will head to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW.

Heifers 200-280kg decreased by 16c to average 469c with prices between 355c and 608c. Top line hailed from Jandowae, QLD, and consisted of Angus weaned heifers 10-12 months averaging 214kg. Offered by Glenoch Farms, the heifers will journey to Condamine, QLD. From Canowindra, NSW a line of Speckle Park & Speckle cross heifers, 9-11 months averaging 278kg, sold for 595c.

Heifers 280-330kg eased 2c this week to average 462c, with prices ranging from 333c to 651c. Hailing from Inverell, NSW the top line of F1 Wagyu x Angus heifers averaged 318kg at 13-14 months. Offered by S C Holder & J A Rowe, the heifers will journey interstate to SA.

Feeder heifers averaging 330-400kg sold from 339c to 525c, 24c cheaper than last week, at 425c. From Cudgewa, VIC, the top line consisted of 12-13-month-old NSM future breeder Angus heifers averaging 355kg. Offered by Cudgewa North Pastoral, the heifers are of Te Mania & Ardrossan Angus blood.

Heifers heavier than 400kg also sold to a cheaper trend, down 18c to average 412c with prices ranging between 361c and 430c. Top line consisted of Angus NSM future breeders 11-13 months averaging 424kg. Offered by Ireland Farming from Condobolin NSW, the heifers will journey to Quirindi, NSW. From Clay Wells, SA a line of Hereford heifers 19-20 months averaging 418kg sold for 421c to an interstate buyer.

In Tasmania, a reduced offering of 396 head was seen this week. Clearance rates remained firm at 96pc. Weaner and yearling heifers sold from $1010 to $1220 and averaged $1097. Top line was offered by LNS & SA Rodman from Sprent TAS, with an offering of 7-8-month old heifer vealers averaging 287kg.

Weaner and Yearling steers sold from $830 to $1687 and averaged $1176. Top price went to a line of Murray Grey weaned steers aged 10-12-months from I & C Atkinson. Another highlight was a line of Angus cows and calves from Stanley TAS which averaged 599kg and returned $3230.

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

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 302c to 678c to average 588c, while heifers sold from 414c to 639c to average 438c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 485c to 591c to average 525c, while heifers sold from 355c to 608c to average 469c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 371c to 560c to average 466c, while heifers sold from 333c to 651c to average 462c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 344c to 473c to average 432c, while heifers sold from 339c to 430c to average 412c

+400kg: Steers sold from 342c c to 433c to average 397c, while heifers sold from 361c to 430c to average 412c.

Source: AuctionsPlus