Part of a line of a line of 312 Angus-cross steers 418kg (3pc shrink weight 407kg) at 16-18 months from Blackall, central western Qld offered in four lots on Stocklive this week, selling to a top of 603c/kg and averaging 592c, based on the shrunk weight.

HEAVY feeder steer values continued to edge higher in online trading this week, while most other steer weight categories were softer in c/kg value.

Meanwhile heifer values mostly continued to strengthen.

The sustained outflow of cattle from Queensland over four consecutive weeks points to continued restocking demand now pulling cattle south.

Cattle listings on AuctionsPlus declined by 15 percent to 16,616 this week, with clearance slipping to 82pc.

Heavy steers +400kg averaged 536c, up 1c, returning an average of $2,393/head on an 87% clearance.

Highlights included 92 Angus feeder steers 411kg at 21-22 months from Tylden, Vic that made 656c/kg, and   52 Angus feeder steers 433kg at 18-22 months from Willow Tree, NSW making 602c/kg.

The Stocklive online marketing platform also recorded strong results for feeder steers this morning, with a line of 312 Angus-cross steers 418kg (3pc shrink weight 407kg) at 16-18 months offered in four lots, attracting up to 36 bids.

The steers sold to a top of 603c/kg and averaged 592c, based on the average shrunk weight.

Offered by Australian Livestock Co, Terrick, Blackall, the vendor-bred steers carried key credentials including lifetime traceability, organic and USDA organic status, GAP certification, and StockLive’s newly developed Bloodline Verification, which identified the steers as Palgrove Ultrablack Bloodline verified.

Buyers from Queensland through to South Australia competed strongly on the steers, with interest from feedlot and grass-fattening operators. StockLive Commercial sales open 24 hours before timers begin, and this week buyers made strong use of early bidding, with all lots on the market before the 11am timers started.

Although further bids were placed after the timers opened, the sale wrapped up within 10 minutes due to StockLive’s staggered lot closure mechanism. Under this system, each lot closes separately after a period of inactivity, so buyers can confirm purchases without waiting for bidding to finish across the entire sale.

In other steer categories on AuctionsPlus today, light steers 200–280kg averaged 619c, easing 4c, while clearing 94pc of the offering of 3072 head. Steers 280–330kg offered 1313 head, clearing 92pc, averaging 585c, down 22c on the week. The 330–400kg steers averaged 583c, easing 13c to average 583c, while clearing 89pc of the 1122 offered.

Light steer highlights included 70 Angus steers 6-7 months averaging 201kg from Tullamore, NSW, that sold for 705c/kg, and due to travel to a buyer near Mandurama, NSW.

The steer premium over heifers on AuctionsPlus this week sat at 52c/kg, however most heifers categories firmed in value.

Highlights included heifers 200-280kg where 1444 were offered on AuctionsPlus, clearing 85pc, with prices up 60c/kg to average 570c.

Heifers 280-330kg cleared 88pc of an offering of 1235, with prices lifting 10c to average 521c.

From Inglewood, QLD, 117 Red Angus heifers 6-9 months averaging 196kg returned 638c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Aberfoyle, NSW.

Breeding females

Among larger breeding female categories, 1383 PTIC cows cleared 63pc to lift $415 in average value, to $2598. An offering of 1168 station-mated cows cleared 47pc, with prices down $513 to average $2021, while 600 PTIC heifers cleared 55pc, with prices dropping $242 to average $2256.

Sources: AuctionsPlus, Stocklive.