BOOSTED by some large lines out of Northern Australia pitched at the re-building live export market, cattle numbers on AuctionsPlus increased by 28 percent this week to a total listing of 7863 head across four commercial sales.

Among the larger northern listings seen this week were:

• 1162 head of feeder and yearling bulls offered by Slingshot Haulage, Mataranka, Northern Territory
• 1700 head offered by Zenith Australia Group in its 2018 Yakka Munga (Pilbara WA) Cattle Sale
• Angus x Brahman weaners totalling 316 head from Eromanga in far western Queensland.

Heifer prices trended down this week, while young steers were generally strong in value. Clearance rates across all AuctionsPlus sales remained steady  this week, with just over 50pc of stock selling at auction, with post sale negotiations ongoing.

PTIC and joined female numbers were strong, with 1820 head listed, with decent listings out of both New South Wales and Queensland.

Quality was varied with prices ranging from $790 to $1730, averaging $1158. Top price was achieved by a line of three year old Angus cows, PTIC back to Angus bulls, offered by Willalooka Pastoral Co from Naracoorte, SA.

Station-mated Brangus cows from Blackall, QLD aged 2-11 years with calves at foot made $1320, while two small lines of Angus x Poll Hereford and Limousin x Shorthorn heifers aged 22 months averaged $1115. Offered account Watgania Pastoral Co, Ararat, VIC these heifers were PTIC to Angus bulls.

Cow and calf units this week saw 336 head listed, with prices ranging from $1100 to $1675 and averaging $1344. Top price was paid for a line of four year old Angus cows and calves from Sutton, NSW. Angus/Friesian heifers and calves aged 26-28 months from Buln Buln, VIC made $1520, while a line of 36-38 month-old Angus x Limousin cows and calves from Loomberah, NSW made $1200, heading to Goondiwindi, QLD.

The weekly Weaner & Yearling sale offered 4083 head. Speriby North Pty Ltd from Deepwater and Tenterfield, NSW offered 211 EU accredited heifers across seven lots, with a line of 10-12 month-old unweaned heifers topping the offering, averaging $1100. Three different buyers secured the sought after heifers, in New South Wales and Queensland.

Zenith Australia Group offered 1700 head in the 2018 Yakka Munga Cattle Sale, assessed by Mitchell Braithwaite, Landmark Geraldton, WA. Brahman cross yearling bulls aged 10-16 months averaging 331kg made $791 or 239c/kg, while 7-12 month-old weaned steers averaging 227kg made $523 or 230c/kg.

In the first re-appearance of northern Australian cattle targeted at the live export market for some time, 502 Brahman yearling bulls, 12-20 months averaging 269kg from Mataranka, NT made $746; 589 Brahman feeder bulls, 18-24 months averaging 328kg made $887; and 71 Brahman feeder bulls, 18-24 months averaging 415kg made $1131.

Elsewhere 120 Ultrablack x Angus feeder/backgrounder  steers 363kg at 11 months from Rathdowney in southern QLD made 308c/kg $1102 in Wednesday’s weaner and yearling sale.

Two lines of Angus x Brahman weaners totalling 316 head from Eromanga in far western Queensland included 220 5-12 month old heifers averaging 171kg selling for $400/head and 96 steers 5-12 months averaging 168kg selling for $420.

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

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 250c to 342c to average 298c; while heifers sold from 188-288c to average 288c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 259-358c to average 311c; while heifers sold from 209-297c to average 250c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 259-352c to average 297c; while heifers sold for 266c
• Steers +350kg sold for 308c

Steer Highlights

Angus steers 6-9 months, 223kg, from SCONE, NSW sold for 332c/$740

Poll Hereford/Angus steers 9-11 months, 288kg, from BRIDPORT, TAS sold for 327c/$940

Limousin/Hereford Cross steers 9-11 months, 349kg, from SHEFFIELD, TAS sold for 264c/$920

Angus steers 10-12 months, 269kg, from BUNGOWANNAH, NSW sold for 329c/$885

Angus steers 10-11 months, 275kg, from HAWKESDALE, VIC sold for 358c/$985

Ultrablack/Angus cross steers 10-11 months, 358kg, from RATHDOWNEY, QLD sold for 308c/$1102

Angus steers 11-12 months, 329kg, from WALGETT, NSW sold for 310c/$1016

Heifer Highlights

Angus/Brahman cross heifers 5-12 months, 171kg, from EROMANGA, QLD sold for 234c/$400

Santa Gertrudis/Angus/Santa heifers 8-10 months, 275kg, from BUNDARRA, NSW sold for 270c/$740

Angus heifers 9-10 months, 247kg, from GLENGARRY, TAS sold for 288c/$710

Poll Hereford/Angus heifers 9-11 months, 283kg, from BRIDPORT, NSW sold for 298c/$840

Limousin/Hereford cross heifers 9-11 months, 327kg, from SHEFFIELD, TAS sold for 266c/$870

Source: AuctionsPlus