MEDIUM and heavier steer and heifer categories declined in value, while lighter descriptions lifted in AuctionsPlus online trading this week.
Cattle listings rose slightly to 17,205 head. Competition was subdued however, with a clearance of 54pc, down 10 percentage points on last week.
L:ightweight steers less than 200kg attracted only 363 entries, averaging 432c/kg, producing an 82pc clearance.
Steers 200-280kg registered a 67pc larger offering of 2047 head and averaged 423c/kg – up 21c/kg from last week for a 77pc clearance. Prices ranged from 249-480c.
From Quirindi, NSW, 93 Hereford x Angus steers 6-7 months averaging 201kg returned $800 or 398c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Bayview, NSW.
They were part of a large offering of 838 weaned steers from Romani Pastoral Co, all Angus or Hereford x Angus 6-7 months, with average weights ranging from 163kg to 219kg. The eight mobs sold from 398c/kg to 449c/kg for a run of 87 Angus weaned steers 201kg.
Steers 280-330kg registered a 33pc larger offering of 2373 head this week, averaging 362c/kg, down 33c/kg. Prices ranged from 250-438c. From Nundle, NSW 74 Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 310kg returned $1360/head or 438c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Wandoan, QLD.
Steers 330-400kg attracted 2736 head, and averaged 356c/kg, down 8c from last week.
A smaller offering of 875 heavy feeders +400kg averaged 348c, unchanged from last week.
Heifers
Heifers 280-330kg registered a 37pc smaller offering of 1137 head and averaged 308c/kg — up 6c on last week for a 54pc clearance. Prices ranged from 196-530c.
From Mitchell, QLD 180 Santa heifers 11-15 months averaging 289kg returned $965/head or 334c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Tamworth, NSW.
From Leeville, NSW 20 Brangus heifers 18-24 months averaging 324kg returned $1720/head, or 530c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Moore, QLD.
Heifers 330-400kg dropped by 8pc to register 1354 head and averaged 293c/kg, for a 58pc clearance. Prices ranged from 189-481c. From Billa Billa, QLD 16 Charolais cross heifers 14-24 months averaging 355kg returned $940/head or 265c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Inverell, NSW.
Breeding stock
Last week there were almost 3000 PTIC cows and heifers up for sale, which enjoyed some momentum in terms of price and clearance. The number of PTIC females halved this week, driven by a 61pc drop in pregnant heifers.
That category did see a nice price bump for those that did sell, up $308 from last week to average $1663. Of the 805 head on offer only 19pc sold, however.
From Holbrook, NSW 66 Angus heifers 19-21 months averaging 482kg returned $1880, or 390c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Deniliquin, NSW.
PTIC cows registered a 21pc smaller offering of 1364 head and averaged $1551 – down $162 from last week for a 66pc clearance. From Barraba, NSW 79 Angus cows three years averaging 420kg returned $1880 or 447c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Glen innes, NSW.
Prices as at 2pm Friday, 8 March.
Source: AuctionsPlus
HAVE YOUR SAY