CATTLE listings dropped back to 7000 head this week, falling 1000 head on the previous week.

At least part of that can be attributed to the pulling power of industry gatherings in Rockhampton surrounding Beef 2018.

Half of all stock listed fell in the weaner category, and more than three quarters of all listings this week came out of New South Wales.

It remains a buyers’ market, with more than 600 bidders logging in across all commercial sales.

Low clearance rates continued, with only half the total cattle offered sold at auction. However, sales continue to be negotiated immediately after the auction as vendors’ expectations meet the market. This is on the back of the poor seasonal conditions in the south at present as producers continue to hope for a good fall of rain somewhere, to at least give stock a place to go.

Joined females were in supply as per last week with 2200 head offered. Clearance was limited as a result of buyer confidence, reflected in the average price of PTIC cows at $1000, falling $245 on the week prior. Kiah Lake Pastoral Co, Cooma, NSW offered 54 PTIC Angus cows, aged seven years, with all three mobs making $1210.

A line of 3-5 year old Tynam blood Angus cows weighing 519kg, PTIC to Waitara Angus bulls from Dubbo, NSW sold for $1155. The top price for heifers was achieved by a quality line of 19-21 month old Dulverton, Speriby and Wattletop Angus blood heifers PTIC to Dulverton and Wattletop bulls making $1190.

Cow and calf units were in tight supply this week with only four lots offered. Top price of $1520 went to a line of unjoined Angus heifers and calves from Boggabri, NSW which will be heading to Euroa, VIC. The 30-month-olds weighing 488kg had Angus calves at foot, sired by Kansas bulls.

Wandoo Farms, Grenfell, NSW, offered 313 weaners which included the top price 301c/kg or $885 for 7–10 month old Angus steers weighing 294kg. From Clermont, Central Queensland, Mt Mica Grazing Co offered 160 Charbray/Brahman weaners aged 6-10 months. The 80 steers offered tipped the scales at 252kg to return 300c, while their sisters weighing 239kg made 274c.

It was a successful week for Western Australia as five vendors offered 376 head across 12 lots, with all but one lot selling. Crendon Irrigation from Donnybrook in the south west of the state offered five lots of weaners and yearlings. The top price was recorded for 21 Angus feeder steers, 12-13 months, averaging 394kg which sold for 294c or $1157. Similarly, in Tasmania, five vendors offered 133 head over 10 lots to record an 80pc clearance. Fonthill, Lemont and Melton Mowbray in southern Tassie, offered five lots of weaners topping at 336c or $880 for 14 weaned Shorthorn cross steers, aged 8-10 months.

An AuctionsPlus Wagyu sale this week offering 114 head of steers, heifers, bulls and registered females saw not one beast sold, with 13 of the 14 lots offered failing to attract a bid.

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

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 251c to 347c to average 292c/kg; while heifers sold from 184-334c to average 272c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 262-356c to average 297c; while heifers sold from 219-266c to average 248c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 271-319c to average 299c; while heifers sold from 264-280c to average 271c
• Steers +350kg sold for 303c/kg

Steer Highlights

7 to 8 month old, 278kg, Angus steers from COOMA, NSW sold for 356c/990

10 to 18 month old, 252kg, Angus/Hereford steers from TALWOOD, QLD sold for 305c/770

9 to 10 month old, 323kg, Angus/Angus steers from BARFOLD, VIC sold for 319c/1030

8 to 10 month old, 193kg, Shorthorn/Angus steers from MELTON MOWBRAY, TAS sold for 347c/670

12 to 13 month old, 332kg, Angus steers from DONNYBROOK, WA sold for 310c/1029

Heifer Highlights

7 to 9 month old, 240kg, Angus/Angus heifers from GRENFELL, NSW sold for 291c/700

6 to 10 month old, 238kg, Charbray/Brahman heifers from CLERMONT, QLD sold for 275c/655

6 to 9 month old, 230kg, Angus/Angus heifers from MILDURA, VIC sold for 260c/600

8 to 9 month old, 205kg, Poll Hereford/Poll Hereford heifers from LEMONT, TAS sold for 335c/685

11 to 13 month old, 344kg, Angus/Angus heifers from DONNYBROOK, WA sold for 280c/963

Source: AuctionsPlus