Markets

Big jump in steer prices on AuctionsPlus

Beef Central, 17/11/2018

Among larger lines sold this week, from Winton, QLD, 228 Angus weaned steers, 9-11 mths, in strong store condition averaging 273 kg, being sold due to the ongoing dry conditions, made $945.

 

ALL young steer weight categories produced a sharp rise in prices on AuctionsPlus this week, while heifer categories were largely unchanged.

Total listings fell 24 percent to 8034 head, primarily caused by a shortage in cow and calf numbers, with listings almost halving on last week.

Yearling steers and heifers were in shorter supply this week. Demand for joined breeders was back, with just two lines selling at auction. Weaned steer numbers increased, with the larger offering attracting increased buyer activity to find a 20c/kg jump in prices and 80pc clearance across the category. Despite this, overall clearance dropped to 52pc, caused mainly by softer demand for the Queensland offering.

Prices for cow and calf units were up this week alongside the decrease in supply, with an average of $1376 recorded, up $100 on last week. Young breeders sold from $1125 to $1855, averaging $1459.

The top price was achieved for a line of 34 Angus first-calvers from Table Top, NSW, with Angus calves at foot, and have been joined back to Angus bulls.

Elsewhere, a line of 21 Angus/Shorthorn first-calvers with Angus calves at foot, out of Albury, NSW returned $1585.

Proven breeders averaged $1264 and sold from $965 to $1600 this week, with the top price recorded by two separate lots:

  • A line of 43 Angus cows, aged 4-6 years, with Angus calves at foot, from Woolbrook, NSW, and
  • A line of 52 Angus cows, aged 6-8 years with Rennylea-sired Angus calves at foot and joined back to Angus bulls.

A line of 25 Simmental x Angus cows with Charolais-sired calves at foot from Cann River, VIC retuned $1470. These cows were the oldest units out of a larger complete dispersal from Cameron Bros Farming, which averaged $1460 overall.

National steer prices were significantly up across all weight categories, with weaned steers under 250kg up 43c and heavy steers above 350kg recording a 46c increase on last week.

National heifer prices decreased slightly on all weight categories except heavy heifers above 350kg, which were up 13c.

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

  • Steers less than 250kg sold from 284c to 449c to average 330c; while heifers sold from 163-318c to average 247c
  • Steers 250-300kg sold from 269-346c to average 306c; while heifers sold from 195-295c to average 260c
  • Steers 300-350kg sold from 292-329c to average 310c; while heifers sold from 245-293c to average 262c
  • Steers 350+kg sold from 306-306c to average 306c; while heifers sold from 256-282c to average 273c

Among larger lines sold this week, from Winton, QLD, 228 Angus weaned steers, 9-11 mths, in strong store condition averaging 273 kg, being sold due to the ongoing dry conditions made $945; while a further 233 Angus weaned steers, 5-8 mths, 206kg, made $685 and $700. Further south, 150 Angus weaned steers, 4-6 months averaging 183kg, from Hay NSW made $605, while 150 of their heifer sisters 185 kg made $450. A line of 120 Angus weaned steers 10-12 months averaging279kg from Coleambally NSW made $810; while 80 of their heifer sisters 277kg made $745. Out of Girilambone, NSW, 92 Angus backgrounder steers, 9-12 months averaging 248kg made 298c/$740; 24 Limousin /Angus backgrounder steers, 9-12 months averaging254kg made 283c/$720; 104 Angus backgrounder heifers, 9-12 months averaging 238kg made 260c/$620; 104 Angus backgrounder heifers, 9-12 months averaging 238kg made260c/$620; and 41 Limousin x Ang backgrounder heifers, 9-12 months, 227kg, made 255c/$580.

 

Steer Highlights

4-5 month old, 153kg, Angus steers from COOTAMUNDRA, NSW sold for 450c/$690

6-8 month old, 222kg, Angus steers from MUDGEE, NSW sold for 356c/$790

13-15 month old, 385kg, Angus steers from WAGGA WAGGA, NSW sold for 306c/$1180

8-9 month old, 306kg, Angus steers from WALCHA, NSW sold for 330c/$1010

9-11 month old, 272kg, Angus steers from WINTON, QLD sold for 347c/$945

9-11 month old, 264kg, Angus steers from HANNAFORD, QLD sold for 343c/$905

Heifer Highlights

4-5 month old, 144kg, Angus heifers from COOTAMUNDRA, NSW sold for 319c/$460

12-15 month old, 299kg, Angus heifers from COONABARABRAN, NSW sold for 296c/$885

14-16 month old, 371kg, Angus heifers from CROOKWELL, NSW sold for 283c/$1050

14-15 month old, 358kg, Angus heifers from COOLAC, NSW sold for 282c/$1010

12-14 month old, 362kg, Angus heifers from WALWA, VIC sold for 257c/$930

6-7 month old, 173kg, Angus/Friesian heifers from ELIZABETH TOWN, TAS sold for 266c/$460

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