Part of a line of 166 Brangus steers 5-10 months averaging 242kg (range 182kg to 365kg) from Tambo, Western QLD that returned $1280 or 529c/kg on Friday. The same vendor had another 73 Brangus x Santa weaned steers 262kg at 5-10 months that made 482c to average $1260.

COMMERCIAL cattle sales on Elders and Nutrien’s online marketing platform Auctions Plus roared back into action last week, with 17,197 head offered.

Biggest jumps in supply came out of NSW, up 6500 head to just over 9000 head, Victoria up 2200 to 2700 and Queensland, up more than 2000 to 2100 head.

The largest weekly listing of 2023 was met with robust demand as value over reserve increased to $135 and clearance jumped to 63pc.

While higher US imported beef prices and improved trade relations with China are cause for optimism, the impact of rain cannot be underestimated. Producer confidence has made a quick U-turn since February and March, causing prices to lift somewhat.

Improved prices have caught the attention of producers that have been holding on to market-ready stock. Listings increased across the board, which would normally put pressure on prices. However most categories increased last week due to rain closing the gap to a solid Autumn break.

A lower proportion of light heifers were offered compared to steers as they continue to be retained for breeding purposes.

Steers 200-280kg registered 2581 head for sale and averaged 489c/kg, up 9c on the previous week for an 89pc clearance. Per kilogram prices ranged from 402-573c. From Tambo, Western Queensland, 166 Brangus steers 5-10 months averaging 242kg (range 182kg to 365kg) returned $1280/head or 529c/kg. The same vendor had another 73 Brangus x Santa weaned steers 262kg at 5-10 months made 482c to average $1260.

The 1612 head of steers 330-400kg offered averaged 417c, down 8c on the previous week due to low numbers, while clearance reached 77pc.

From Lucindale, SA, 90 Hereford steers 9-11 months averaging 366kg returned 442c/kg. The same vendor offered 11 other lots for a total of 898 Angus x Hereford and pure Hereford steers of various weights which returned similar prices.

Heifers 200-280kg offered 914 head and averaged 408c/kg, unchanged from the previous week, for a 56pc clearance. Per kilogram prices ranged from 292-440c.

From Rolleston, Central Queensland, 120 Santa heifers 8-12 months averaging 245kg returned $1050/head, or 428c/kg.

Heifers 330-400kg registered 1236 head and averaged 405c for a 76pc clearance. Per kilogram prices ranged from 304-494c.

From Bingara, NSW, three lines of a total 116 Angus heifers 17-20 months averaging 359kg returned $1750-$1,770, or 490c/kg.

Breeding females

PTIC heifers registered 1556 head and averaged $1666/head – down $79 from the previous week for a 33pc clearance. From Ben Lomond, NSW, 52 Angus PTIC heifers 18-20 months averaging 397kg returned $2060.

PTIC cows registered 1439 head and averaged $1898 – up $244 on last week for a 58pc clearance. From Glen Innes, NSW, seven lines totalling 188 Angus PTIC cows 5-8 years averaging 506kg returned $2035.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 14 April.

Source: AuctionsPlus