Heavy steers 400kg+ sold between 374c and 433c this week, averaging 393c. Top price went to this line of Angus heavy feeders from Jeramanda Partnership, Mudgee – a line of 76 weaned EU-eligible steers 9-12 months averaging 413kg, which will head to Quirindi, NSW.

WHILE it was raining across parts of southeast Australia this week, cattle numbers offered online have started drying up.

Numbers were down for the second week running, with a total of 11,388 head offered online, down almost 5800 head or 30pc on the previous week.

With reduced numbers, competition was fierce especially among breeding stock, resulting in all breeding categories achieving an increase in average prices. The most significant increase was seen amongst cows with calves at foot, up $268 on the previous week. Southern QLD edged out Central Western NSW to be the biggest purchasing region, securing 1,157 and 965 head respectively.

Prices across all breeding stock categories were up this week with the highest clearance at 94pc being achieved by cows with CAF. PTIC cows were up a little in numbers this week to see an offering of 2123 head. Prices ranged from $1280 to $2720, averaging $2055, up $109 on the previous week.

Top price was achieved by a line of rising 3 year old Angus cows averaging 576kg. Offered by Emu Creek Estate from Walcha, NSW, the cows were 5-7 months PTIC to Angus bulls and will travel to Gunnedah, NSW. The same vendors offered a similar line of rising 4 year old PTIC Angus cows which also achieved top price. Averaging 605kg, they were 5-7 months PTIC to Angus bulls and will travel to Clifton, QLD.

PTIC heifers sold between $1350 and $2525 this week, averaging $1803, up $153. Reiland Angus from Dunedoo, NSW, sold the top priced lot of 22 PTIC Angus heifers, aged 21-22 months averaging 482kg, and 5-8 months in calf. They will head to Singleton, NSW. From Tamleugh, VIC, a line of rising two year old Lawson blood Angus heifers averaging 559kg sold for $2360.

Cows with CAF were in high demand with prices ranging between $1280 and $3060 to average $2602, up $268 on last week. Top price went to Ban Wyong Pastoral from Ben Lomond, NSW which offered 24 NSM Angus cows with calves. The 3-5 year old cows had Coffin Creek, Wattletop and Te Mania bloodlines and their 7-13 week old CAF averaged 124kg. From Redesdale, VIC a line of NSM cows and calves, 30 months averaging 602kg sold for $2800.

Steer numbers deceased this week with 4196 head offered, 2561 less than last week.

Weaner steers dropped in clearance from 82pc the previous week to 68pc. Light steers less than 200kg sold from 412c to 583c to average 493c, up 9c. Top price went to a run out of the gate line of 78 Angus steers offered by Red Island Beef, Bundarra, NSW. The Booroomooka and Wattletop Angus blood steers were 9-10 months averaging 197kg and will travel to Wollomombi, NSW.

Steers 200-280kg were priced between 339c and 619c this week, averaging 455c, firm on last week. From Singleton, NSW, Diamond Jay Management offered 50 weaned Angus steers of Rennylea and Dunoon blood. The steers were 8-9 months averaging 205kg and will travel to Goulburn, NSW. A line of Angus steers, 8-10 months, averaging 217kg from Forbes, NSW, sold for 541c.

Steers, 280-330kg, sold between 363c to 481c to average 438c, gaining 7c. Top price hailed from Moss Vale, NSW as Grasmere Charolais Stud offered 12 Angus X Charolais unweaned steers 9-10 months averaging 314kg, which will head to Bungedore, NSW. From Moutajup, VIC a line of 37 Angus steers, 11-12 months, averaging 282kg sold for 461c.

Feeder steers 330-400kg achieved prices ranging from 395c to 451c, averaging 421c, up 12c on last. From Culcairn, NSW, 21 Angus x Shorthorn feeder steers offered by S & J Pitson achieved the highest price. The Rennylea Angus and Sprys Shorthorn blood steers were 10-11 months averaging 369kg and will travel to Docker, VIC. Another highlight was a line of 20 Hereford steers of Yukon Park blood, 10-11 months averaging 349kg selling for 424c.

Heavy steers 400kg+ sold between 374c and 433c this week, averaging 393c. Top price was achieved by Jeramanda Partnership, Mudgee which offered a line of 76 weaned EU-eligible Angus steers 9-12 months averaging 413kg, which will head to Quirindi, NSW.

3064 heifers were offered this week, less than half the previous week’s offering. Demand for weaner heifers followed a similar pattern to weaner steers, achieving a 64pc clearance, down on last week’s 92.

Light heifers averaging less than 200kg sold between 444c and 576c, averaging 482c, down 7c. Top price went to a line 48 Angus heifers, offered by Diamond Jay Management from Singleton, NSW. The Rennylea and Dunoon blood heifers were 8-9 months averaging 189kg and will travel to Moonan Flat, NSW. From Forbes, NSW, a line of 35 Te Mania blood Angus steers 8-10 months averaging 202kg sold for 509c.

Heifers 200-280kg were back by 7c to average 429c this week, with prices ranging from 350c to 512c. From Nundle, NSW, Timor Cattle offered the top priced lot, with 71 Angus and Angus x heifers. The weaned heifers were 8-12 months averaging 238kg and are heading to Gungal, NSW. Another highlight was a line of 34 Angus heifers, 9-11 months averaging 242kg, from Glen Innes, NSW, selling for 490c.

Heifers 280-330kg sold between 368c and 468c this week, averaging 403, up 13c. Top price hailed from Manildra, NSW as M & M Jelley offered 20 Red Angus heifers 9-11 months averaging 297kg, which are heading to Mendooran, NSW. From Scone, NSW, a line of 24 NSM future breeder heifers, 14-16 months averaging 339kg, sold for 454c.

Feeder heifers 330-400kg sold between 360c and 466c, averaging 387c, up 14c on last week. From Muttama, NSW, D Crawford offered a line of 36 NSM Charolais heifers achieving top price for the category. The Wakefield Charolais blood future breeders were 16-19 months averaging 378kg and will travel to Greendale, NSW. From Somerton, NSW, M Greenaway offered a line of 29 Shorthorn NSM future breeders, 10-13 months averaging 375kg, selling for 409c.

Looking to Tasmania, this week saw a strong sale achieving a 92pc clearance among the 262 head offered. From Upper Stowport in North Western Tasmania a line of Angus x Friesian PTIC heifers returned $1650. Offered by GM & AM Rawlings, these 22-24-month-old heifers averaged 452kg and are PTIC to Speckle Park bulls. A line of 20-25-month-old Angus and Angus cross steers averaging 592kg from Wesley Vale in North Western Tasmania sold for $2020.

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

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 412-583c/kg to average 493c, while heifers sold from 444-576c to average 482c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 339-619c to average 455c, while heifers sold from 350-512c to average 429c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 363-480c to average 438c, while heifers sold from 368-468c to average 402c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 395-451c to average 421c, while heifers sold from 360-466c to average 387c

400+kg: Steers sold from 374-424c to average 393c.

Source: AuctionsPlus