CATTLE numbers offered on AuctionsPlus dipped a little this week, as heatwave conditions hit parts of Eastern Australia

The offering was down by about 1500 head from the previous week, however the total was still high by historical standards at 12,131 head. It means cattle offered on AuctionsPlus during the month of February have been unusually high, at 41,200 head.

Across the four eastern states sales held yesterday, 464 bidders logged on.

Highlights included a line of 128 Charolais and Charbray steers from Jericho in central western Queensland, averaging 327kg at 12-15 months, making 344c/kg liveweight or $1125 per head.

Some of the 128 Charolais and Charbray steers from Jericho in western Qld, averaging 327kg at 12-15 months, making 344c/kg on Friday. Click images for a larger view.

A line of 300kg 12-16 month old Brangus x Hereford and Brangus steers from St George Qld made 350c/kg or $1050, while a line of 240 Hereford x Angus steers, 10-11 months at 255kg, EU-eligible, from Omeo in Victoria’s high country made 402c or $1025. Another 110 lighter steers, same vendor, made from $945 to $1010.

A line of 114 Santa x and Droughtmaster x heifers, 279kg at 10-16 months from Goondiwindi on the Qld/NSW border made 340c or $950.

This line of 240 Hereford x Angus steers, 10-11 months at 255kg, from Omeo, Vic made 402c

In a breakdown of younger cattle sold, by weight:

• Steers under 250kg made 323c to 415c/kg liveweight, averaging 371c/kg down 2c on last week; heifers same weight range sold from 287c/kg live to 411c/kg, averaging 354c/kg, up 23c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 285c/kg to 402c/kg to average 353c, up 10c; heifers ranged from 303c to 340c/kg, averaging 323c/kg, up 10c
• Steers 300-350kg ranged from 300c to 350c/kg, averaging 329c, down 1c; heifers in this weightrange were limited in numbers and ranged from 279-328c, averaging 303c, down 5c
• Steers and heifers above 350kg were high in numbers, with steers making 270c to 336c/kg to average 311c/kg, down 21c; and heifers selling in a large range from 258c to 326c to average 300c/kg, up 11c.

Kilburnie dispersal boosts female numbers

A large offering of young first-calf heifers represented the bulk of PTIC females sold yesterday.

Added to these was the 2200-head herd dispersal from Kilburnie Cattle Co, Aberbaldie, Walcha NSW, offered through Elders. The offering saw large lines of top quality PTIC females hit the market, including 1000 Angus cows 4-5 years and a similar number of Angus cows 6-9 years.

First-calvers sold in a range of $920 to $1900, with a line of 519kg, 16-18 month old Ben Nevis blood Angus and Angus cross heifers from Kilburnie Cattle Co making $1750. The mob was PTIC to Ben Nevis Angus bulls.

Young breeders ranged from $1190 to a top of $1950 for 3-year-old Dulverton-blood Angus cows, also from Kilburnie. This mob averaged 590kg, and was PTIC to Angus-Bonsmara composite bulls.

PTIC cows offered as part of the Kilburnie herd dispersal

A smaller offering of cows with calves at foot this week was topped by two-year-old Alloura blood Angus cows. These cows from Murrumbateman NSW were 400kg and had 164kg Alloura blood calves at foot, and were PTIC to Angus bulls. Older 5-9 year old cows with calves at foot ranged from $1530 to $1800, with an average of $1686, while mixed-age cows and calves ranged from $1200 to $1810 with an average of $1566.

Charters Towers marketing workshop

AuctionsPlus will be hosting a Marketing Workshop in Charters Towers on the afternoon of Thursday 3 March.

The free workshop, from 5.30pm, is an opportunity for producers, agents and exporters to come along for a beer and a chat and learn a little more about the online saleyard. Click here for details.

RSVPs are necessary for the workshop 02 9262 4222 or mktops@auctionsplus.com.au

Click here to view all results from Friday’s weekly AuctionsPlus sale