Among larger lines of young cattle offered this week, these 140 Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster x Brahman backgrounder steers 326kg at 10-18 months from Corfield in Central Western Queensland made 368c/kg or $1200/head

CATTLE listings rose to 12,359 head on AuctionsPlus this week, however the larger offering saw mixed competition, with clearance rates softening to 63 percent.

All steer weight categories showed modest rises in c/kg terms, while heifer value trends were mixed. There were a few price rises evident among breeding females, but also some substantial falls in average price

Light steers 200-280kg maintained their recent strong performance, averaging 432c/kg, up 18c on last week, with the offering of 1085 head clearing 78pc. Prices ranged from 255-500c/kg.

Steers 280-330kg attracted a virtual yarding of 2054 head, clearing 71pc, with prices 1c higher to average 398c. Prices ranged from 222-447c/kg.

From Goondiwindi, Qld 69 Angus steers 10-12 months averaging 272kg returned $1360/head or 500c/kg and will travel to a nearby buyer.

Very small offerings – scarcely 100 head each – for steers and heifers less than 200kg produced 100pc clearances, averaging 409c and 265c respectively. The heifer price was down 107c/kg on the previous week.

Heavier steers 330-400kg attracted an offering of 1607 head, clearing only 64pc, with prices edging 2c higher to average 392c/kg.

A line of 74 Angus steers 12-15 months averaging 383kg from Spring Ridge, NSW returned $1515/head or 396c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Woolbrook, NSW.

The equivalent heifer weight category for entries 330-400kg attracted 1342 head, clearing 61pc, with prices up 25c to average 342c.

Light heifers 200-280kg attracted an offering of 1382 head, clearing 67pc with an average price of 328c, down 10c on last week.

Among larger lines of young cattle offered this week, 140 Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster x Brahman backgrounder steers 326kg at 10-18 months from Corfield in Central western Queensland made 368c/kg or $1200/head, while 130 Ultrablack backgrounder steers 348kg at 18-28 months from Blackall, western Qld made 400c/kg or $1392. Further south, 80 Angus yearling steers 360kg at 11-12 months from Brewarrina NSW (pictured below) made 416c/kg or $1500.

These 80 Angus yearling steers 360kg at 11-12 months from Brewarrina NSW made 416c/kg or $1500 yesterday.

Breeding females

In the breeding female category, the market softened compared to last week’s activity. Station-mated cows and calves saw an increased offering of 545 head, averaging $1807/head, a drop of $216 from last week, with a clearance of 77pc. While demand for breeding stock was more subdued, this reflects a possible adjustment following heightened activity in previous weeks.

PTIC cows also suffered a setback, with an offering of 453 head losing $200 compared with the previous week, averaging $1535.

From Tamworth, NSW 34 Angus cows three years averaging 489kg returned $2360 and will travel to a buyer near Tamworth, NSW.

Source: AuctionsPlus