These 49 Angus steers 10-11 months averaging 308kg from Book Book, NSW, returned 717c/kg or $2210 – headed to a buyer from Mansfield, Victoria. Their 59 heifer sisters 297kg made 726.5c, or $2160

ON the back of some larger physical yardings this week, 19,261 cattle were offered across AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales this week – up two percent on the previous week.

As has been the case for several weeks, the main feature of the national cattle market has been the absence of any clear direction or trend, as clearance rates at the immediate closure of the auctions remain subdued. Young, light heifers this week were up, while the young steer market was uneventful, even with 6000 head offered through the three main weight lines.

Steers 200-280kg eased 1c/kg this week, at 708c/kg, with a 73pc clearance for the 2381 head offered.

Competition – especially out of northern NSW and southern Queensland for quality young lines – remained robust, especially as access conditions improve. From Benalla, Victoria, a line of 111 Angus steers 8-9 months averaging 274kg returned $2080/head. Out of the north, 120 Brahman steers 5-8-months averaging 217kg from Richmond, North Queensland, returned $1300/head.

A small offering of only 203 steers less than 200kg averaged 563c/kg, down 92c on the previous week.

Demand through the 280-330kg steer lines remained firm, just without the intensity of the lighter lines, with the average for the week slipping 1c/kg on last week, to 673c. The 2307 head offered, which was up almost 700 head on last week, sold to a 66pc clearance, down from 78pc last week.

From O’Connel, NSW, 66 Poll Hereford steers 9-10 months averaging 302kg returned $1960, while 49 Angus steers 10-11 months averaging 308kg from Book Book, NSW, returned 717c/kg or $2210 – headed to a buyer from Mansfield, Victoria. Their 59 heifer sisters 297kg made 726.5c, or $2160

Steers 330-400kg averaged 12c/kg higher on last week, at 627c/kg. From Emerald, Queensland, a line of 78 Droughtmaster steers 15-18 months averaging 386kg returned $2047/head, or 530c/kg.

Heavy feeder steers kicked after last week’s decline, averaging $392 higher, at $2662/head, or 609c – with the 71pc clearance for the 590 head offered.

From Deepwater, NSW, a line of 40 Santa steers 16-20 months and averaging 463kg returned $2476/head.

As four-out-of-five young heifer lines trended higher this week, the main mid-weight categories only rose by between $4-30/head on last week, as the offering of 400kg+ heifers was the lowest in several months.

Heifers 200-280kg averaged 3c/kg lower at 660c, with a 51pc clearance for the 1690 head offered. From Bridport, Tasmania, a line of 50 Angus heifers 8-10 months averaging 276kg returned $1860/head.

Heifers 280-330kg averaged 17c lower this week at 619c, with a 52pc clearance for the 1296 head offered. Out of Alice Springs, a line of 83 Poll Hereford heifers 14-18 months averaging 310kg returned $1730/head.

Breeding cattle

Through the proven breeding lines, most of the buying was focussed through northern and central NSW. Initially low clearance rates at the immediate closure of the sale continues to point to judicious buying from herd rebuilders, as the 3161 PTIC heifers only sold to a 32pc clearance this week.

After last week’s decline, PTIC heifers averaged $32 or 10c/kg higher this week, at $2589 head – ranging from $1750-$3560.

From Manilla, NSW, 72 Angus PTIC heifers joined to Wagyu bulls, aged 18-22 months and averaging 469kg returned $3560/head –$560 above reserve.

PTIC cows slipped a further $185 this week, to average $2646/head, with a 53pc clearance for the 2223 head offered – up 44pc on last week’s numbers. From Canowindra, NSW, 16 Shorthorn cows PTIC to Angus bulls, aged 7-9 years and averaging 763kg returned $2720/head.

From Armidale, NSW, 47 Angus cows four years averaging 507kg with calves at foot returned $4020/head.

Prices as at 2pm, Friday 17 June.

Source: AuctionsPlus