FOLLOWING more rain across large parts of eastern Australia this past week cattle numbers on AuctionsPlus increased by 25 percent for a total listing of 13,152 head.

Despite the surge in the size of the catalogue – supplemented by the Pemberton Weaner and Breeder Sale adding 1500 head – clearance rates remained steady at 53pc.

Across younger cattle, most heifer categories trended upwards, while steer prices were mixed across the weight ranges and followed no clear pattern.

Among breeding cattle offered across the eastern states, first-calvers averaged $1962 and sold to a top of $2410 for a line of 28-month-old Bongongo blood Angus cows averaging 486kg from Yass, NSW. The cows had 2-3 months Angus calves at foot and were rejoined back to Angus bulls.

Young cows and calves averaged $2218 this week, selling to a top of $2450 for a line of Te Mania blood Angus cows and calves from Tooma, NSW. Aged around 42 months and averaging 492kg, the cows had young Angus calves at foot and were rejoined to Te Mania bulls.

Proven breeders averaged $1868 and sold to a top of $2530, for a line of Angus cows and calves from Mansfield, VIC. These cows, 3-5 years averaging 555kg had Angus calves at foot 4-6 months and were joined back to Angus bulls.

Other cow and calf highlights include a line of Santa Gertrudis/Hereford cows with Angus cross calves at foot from Glencoe, NSW which sold for $2150. These cows were 2-6 years, 509kg and rejoined back to Angus bulls. Another standout line were 10-15 year old Murray Grey cows and calved from Wellington, NSW which sold for $1815 – a strong result, given their age. The heavy cows averaging 597kg were rejoined to Murray Grey bulls.

PTIC heifers averaged $1594 with a top price of $2300, while young PTIC cows averaged $1816 and sold to a top of $2350. Proven breeders averaged $1463 and sold to a top of $2060, achieved three times. All three were for Angus offered account Tonga Station, Mansfield, VIC – a Team Te Mania member which has used Te Mania bulls since 2000.

Another highlight this week was a line of Angus/ Hereford cows 3-5 years 566kg, PTIC to Angus bulls, from Omeo, VIC which sold for $1700.

WA weaners and breeders

In Western Australia, the 26th Annual IRA Pemberton Weaner and Breeder Sale independent agent and assessor Colin Thexton listed 1501 head. With 40 registered users and 41 guests logging into the sale.

Vealers averaged $1111 and topped at $1276; weaners averaged $1031 and topped at $1260; heifers averaged $2235 and topped at $2425; while cows averaged $1395 and topped at $1499.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold this week, by weightrange:

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 246c to 460c/kg to average 366c (down 29c); while heifers sold from 330-429c to average 373c (up 12c)
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 328-439c to average 376c (up 5c) ; while heifers sold from 274-375c to average 331c (down 13c)
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 297-376c to average 334c (down 16c) ; while heifers sold from 287-368c to average 329c (up 9c)
• Steers 350kg+ sold from 284-345c to average 306c (up 5c) ; while heifers sold from 269c-322c to average 297c (up 11c)

Among specialised lines, 38 Wagyu x Angus F1 feeder steers from Yelarbon on Queensland’s western downs, 357kg at 14-17 months, made $1555, while 43 of their heifer siblings, same age, 334kg, made $1270.

In larger lines out of Queensland, 140 Angus x Brahman weaned steers, 9-11 months at 214kg out of Mundubbera made $865; 102 Hereford x Droughtmaster backgrounder heifers out of Tambo, 8-18 months 293kg, made 299c/$875; and 96 Santa x Droughtmaster weaned heifers from Tambo, 6-11 months 264kg, made $900.

Steer Highlights

Angus/Hereford steers 12 to 16 months, 304kg, from GLOUCESTER, NSW sold for 366c/$1110

Poll Hereford steers 8 to 10 months, 222kg from YASS, NSW sold for 363c/$805

Angus/Angus/Santa steers 12 to 18 months, 458kg, from TENTERFIELD, NSW sold for 307c/$1405

Angus steers 14 to 17 months, 420kg, from THE ROCK, NSW sold for 306c/$1281.92

Droughtmaster steers 5 to 9 months, 195kg, from ATHOL, QLD sold for 427c/$830

Angus/Brahman Cross steers 9 to 11 months, 214kg, from MUNDUBBERA, QLD sold for 405c/$865

Santa Gertrudis steers 9 to 12 months, 346kg, from ST GEORGE, QLD sold for 335c/$1155

Angus steers 7 to 8 months, 200kg from OMEO, VIC sold for 460c/$920

Angus steers 16 to 17 months, 460kg, from LOY YANG, VIC sold for 291c/$1340

Angus steers 9 to 10 months, 328kg, from NORTH WANGARATTA, VIC sold for 377c/$1235

Friesian steers 7 to 8 months, 228kg, from BREAM CREEK, TAS sold for 246c/$560

Heifer highlights

Angus heifers 10 to 13 months, 267kg, from HILLSTON, NSW sold for 375c/$1000

Angus heifers 12 to 15 months, 390kg, from GUYRA, NSW sold for 296c/$1155

Santa Gertrudis/Droughtmaster Cross heifers 6 to 11 months, 264kg, from TAMBO, QLD sold for 341c/$900

Shorthorn heifers 15 to 18 months, 297kg, from BALLANDEAN, QLD sold for 334c/$990

Santa heifers 12 to 15 months, 365kg, from TALWOOD, QLD sold for 323c/$1175

Angus/Friesian heifers 4 to 6 months, 172kg, from MORTLAKE, VIC sold for 430c/$740

Angus heifers 7 to 7 months, 185kg, from OMEO, VIC sold for 427c/$790

Angus heifers 15 to 16 months, 372kg, from MANSFIELD, VIC sold for 313c/$1160

Angus heifers 8 to 10 months, 300kg, from KUITPO, SA sold for 321c/$960

Source: AuctionsPlus