This line of 87 EU-eligible Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 338kg from Guyra, NSW returned $1385/head or 409c/kg on Friday.

Online cattle listings on AuctionsPlus totalled 12,693 head last week – down 15 percent on the week before, with most young cattle categories recording more red ink.

The broader cattle market continues to experience challenging trading conditions with high supply of slaughter-ready cattle and a lack of restocker demand placing downward pressure on prices. This was evident in value over reserve in online trading slipping $43 to average $60/head and clearance easing to 31pc. All eyes will be on the forecast rain in some regions in the coming week as a critical factor for both livestock markets and crop emergence.

It was a cheaper market for young steers and heifers last week. Steers 280-330kg were the only brighter light with prices increasing $20/head. Steers heavier than 400kg saw a sharp drop with an average price lower than 330-400kg steers, heavily influenced by breed and location.

Steers in the 200-280kg range registered 1907 head fell 36c/kg and averaged 359c for a 41pc clearance. Prices ranged from 215-411c. From St George, Southern Queensland, 114 Angus x Santa steers 6-9 months averaging 246kg returned $930/head or 378c/kg.

Steers 330-400kg registered 1214 head and averaged 356c/kg – down 19c/kg from the previous week for a 36pc clearance. Prices ranged from 285-409c. A line of 87 EU-eligible Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 338kg from Guyra, NSW returned the top price of $1385/head or 409c/kg.

Heifers

Young heifers experienced red ink across the board despite a limited offering of 1716 head. Heifers 200-280kg registered 841 head and averaged $731/head – down $64 from the previous week for a 65pc clearance. Prices ranged from 217-358c and averaged 296c. From Merriwa, NSW, 72 Shorthorn heifers 10-11 months averaging 202kg returned $640/head, or 317c/kg.

Heifers 280-330kg registered 503 head and averaged $903/head – down $44 from last week for a 28pc clearance. Prices ranged from 229-320c and averaged 290c/kg. From Deepwater, NSW, 60 Angus heifers 11-12 months averaging 328kg returned the top price of $1050 or 320c/kg.

Breeding females

Listings of breeding females fell 26pc this week to 5589 head. PTIC heifers registered 1872 head and averaged $1688 – up $230 on last week for a 12pc clearance. From Adjungbilly, NSW, 23 Angus PTIC heifers 20-21 months averaging 466kg returned $1910/head.

Age and quality impacted the PTIC cow category with 1531 head offered, averaging $1171 for a 19pc clearance. From Scone, NSW, a line of 58 Angus PTIC cows 7-9 years averaging 604kg returned $1200.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 2 June