Part of an offering of 202 Black Simmental x Droughtmaster x Angus backgrounder steers 320kg at 13-16 months from Morven, Southern Qld sold in two lines this morning, making 531c/kg ($1700) and 534c ($1710).

CATTLE numbers on AuctionsPlus continued to ease last week, with 11,819 head offered. Despite the reduction in supply, market confidence strengthened, reflected in improved clearance and pricing outcomes across key young cattle categories.

The clearance rate lifted sharply from particularly low levels last week (44pc) to 71pc on Friday, up 19 percentage points, signalling stronger buyer engagement and improved alignment between vendor expectations and market demand.

Steers remained the dominant category, with 4865 offered and a solid 79pc clearance.

Medium and heavier weight steer categories lifted in c/kg price, while lighter categories eased, or were too small to quote.

Best performers were steers 280-330kg steers, lifting 25c/kg to average 515c/kg, while clearing 85pc of the offering of 1441 head. Steers 330–400kg edged 4c/kg higher to average 490c/kg, clearing 71pc of the offering of 1095 while feeder weights +400kg improved 8c/kg to average 492c, supported by consistent processor demand.

Lighter 200–280kg steers eased 4c, though clearance remained strong at 83pc of the 1741 offered, indicating demand remained intact.

Steer highlights included 65 Angus 10-12 months averaging 282kg from Glen Innes, NSW, returned 593c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Miles, QLD.

From Bombala, NSW, 59 Angus steers 5-6 months averaging 203kg returned 592c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Lake Albert, NSW.

From Muttaburra, QLD, 114 Angus/Brangus steers 11-14 months averaging 260kg returned 573c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Winton, QLD.

Among other larger lines, 202 Black Simmental x Droughtmaster x Angus backgrounder steers 320kg at 13-16 months from Morven, Southern Qld sold in two lines, making 531c/kg ($1700) and 534c ($1710).

Heifers, breeding females

Heifer offerings totalled 4350 head, clearing 78pc. Results were mixed with heavier categories holding best. Heifers 330-400kg cleared 77pc of the offering of 1711, with the market improving 7c to average 432c.

Light heifers 200-280kg yarded 1058, clearing 88pc to average 424c, up 1c on last week.

Breeding female listings sat at 2647 head this week, with generally softer clearance.

The biggest offering came for PTIC heifers where 978 were offered, clearing only 40pc, with prices down $621 to average $1757. The PTIC cow offering reached 770 head, clearing 54pc, with prices averaging $7 lighter at $2272.

Source: AuctionsPlus