Among larger lines offered last week were these 232 weaned Red Poll steers averaging 260kg at 7-10 months from Tambo, Western Qld, which made 389c/kg or $1010 a head

Most medium and heavy steer and heifer categories increased in c/kg price last week in online trading, where a reduced offering of 9525 head was put to the market on AuctionsPlus.

Numbers were down 24pc on the week before, while the clearance fell eight percentage points to 82pc.

Processor/lotfeeder buying activity lifted to 5pc from 2pc the week before.

The biggest movements in listings were in NSW, where the offering fell by 2616 head. The biggest change in purchasing behaviour was also found in NSW, where buyers took home half of the cattle they did the previous week.

Heavy feeder steers attracted the biggest gains per head compared to the previous week, with those in the 400kg+ category lifting 67c/kg to average 422c/kg, clearing 90pc of the offering of 523 head.

Steers 280-330kg lifted 42c/kg in value to average 427c last week, with a 93p0c clearance across 2108 head.

Steers 330-400kg attracted 735 entries, averaging 401c, up 41c on thew week before, clearing 75pc of the offering.

The two lightest steer categories less than 280kg were little changed from the week before. An offering of 1944 steers 200-280kg averaged 409c, down a cent on the previous week, clearing 82poc of the offering.

From Goondiwindi, QLD a line of 78 Angus/Angus steers aged eight to 12 months old and averaging 259kg returned 451c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Miles, QLD.

Among larger lines offered last week, 232 weaned Red Poll steers averaging 260kg at 7-10 months from Tambo, western Qld made 389c/kg or $1010 a head, while 360 Droughtmaster and Charbray cross weaned steers 237kg at 9-12 months from Springsure, Central Qld made from 390c/kg for a run of 120 Droughtmaster types to 360c/kg for a similar run of slightly lighter Charbray x Brahmans.

Heifers

Lightweight heifers recorded the greatest losses per head compared to the previous week, with those in the less than 200kg category dropping 47c to average 315c for a 71pc clearance. Heifers 200-280kg also saw a hefty 32c fall in average value, to average 320c/kg, clearing 75pc of the 1315 head offering. From Boorowa, NSW, 54 Angus heifers 10-12 months averaging 272kg returned $1020/head or 375c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Boorowa, NSW.

Heavier heifer categories did better, with 280-330kg entries lifting 4c to average 326c, and a small offering of +400kg heifers up 9c to average 359c.

Breeding females

There were mixed results within the reduced offering of breeding stock, including a $616/head boost to $1788 for SM heifers. The gain was achieved in a yarding of just 218 head, but there was a clearance of just 13pc.

Station-mated cows dropped an average of $95/head to $1683, with a clearance of 52pc, while an offering of 600 PTIC cows saw prices little changed, averaging $1756.

From Irrewillipe, VIC, 24 Angus heifers 30-32 months averaging 542kg returned $1975/head, or 365c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Hamilton, VIC.

Prices as at 2pm Friday July 26.

Source: AuctionsPlus