Part of a line of 270 Droughtmaster PTIC cows, three years averaging 436kg from Dirrinbandi, southern Queensland that made $2000 a head yesterday

LIGHTER steers and heifers eased in value, while heavier lines tended to rise in an offering of 10,765 head on AuctionsPlus yesterday.

The catalogue lifted 22pc in size, albeit from low levels the previous week. Clearance was similar to the previous week at 76pc, with the steer portion clearing 86pc.

This week’s results showed a clear trend toward stronger competition for heavier cattle, with both steers and heifers over 400kg delivering the most significant week-on-week gains. The steer premium over heifers was 91c/kg.

Among the steer categories, heeder-weight steers +400kg lifted 27c/kg to average 505c, clearing 73pc of the offering of 665 head.

Steers 330-400kg lost 2c to average 501c, while clearing 85pc of the 1154 head offered.

Lighter steers 200-280kg lost 7c to average 551c this week, but managed to clear 94pc of the offering of 1530. A small offering of steers less than 200kg lost 17c to average 593c.

Steer highlights included 44 Angus and Angus x Hereford steers 5-6 months averaging 179kg from Cooma, NSW returned 603c/kg, bought out of Griffith, NSW.

Among larger steer lines, 300 Angus EU-eligible feeder steers 17-19 months averaging 480kg from Walcha, Northern NSW made 512-514c/kg or $2460 a head.

Part of a line of 300 Angus EU-eligible feeder steers 17-19 months averaging 480kg from Walcha, Northern NSW that made 512-514c/kg or $2460 a head yesterday. Click on image for a larger view

For heifers, trends were mixed, though heavier lines posted gains.

Heifers 400kg+ rose 30c/kg to average 442c/kg, clearing 81pc of the 380 offered. Heifers 330-400kg also improved, gaining 22c to average 444c/kg, but clearing only 53pc of the 630 offered.

The three lightest categories all went backwards in double-digits. Heifers 280-330kg lost 15c to average 408c, while those 200-280kg lost 15c to average 445c, clearing 87pc of the offering of 1268.

Breeding females

Results across breeding lines were varied, with several positive price shifts evident.

PTIC cows recorded a significant $396/head lift to average $2110, while SM cows and calves rose $331/pair to $2460.

Other categories went backwards, including PTIC cows, losing $396 to Average $2110, clearing 76pc of the offering of 1090. PTIC cows with calves lost $417 to average $2623, while SM heifers with calves lot $343 to average $1961.

From Springsure, QLD, 74 Brahman x Hereford station mated cows & calves, with cows aged 5-12 years averaging 437kg returned $2620/head, going to a buyer near Emerald, QLD.

From Baan Baa, QLD, 39 Santa x Hereford PTIC heifers 17-20 months averaging 474kg returned $2800 going to a buyer near Banana, QLD.

Among larger breeding lines sold this week, 270 Droughtmaster PTIC cows, three years averaging 436kg from Dirrinbandi, southern Queensland maede $2000 a head

Source: Auctions Plus