BUYER confidence remained strong on AuctionsPlus this week, with a 90 percent clearance achieved across all commercial listings – particularly in the Eastern States Sale where joined females and cows with calves at foot sold well.

Cattle listings jumped 43 percent this week to 9132 head.

Joined female stock are still in low supply, with only 1115 head listed. The reduced offering sharpened competition among buyers, returning above average prices and the strongest clearance for breeders in weeks.

PTIC first-calving heifers sold from $880 to $1540 averaging $1092 this week. Highlights included 49 PTIC Angus heifers from Yaven Creek, NSW returning the top price of $1540; and 22 PTIC Poll Hereford heifers from Eldorado, VIC returning $1470.

Grown and mixed aged PTIC females sold from $930 to $1480 averaging $1224, up $113 on last week. Highlights included 6-8 year old Angus PTIC cows from Borambola, NSW returning the top price; 3-13 year old Santa PTIC cows from Winton, QLD returning $1350; and 4-5 year old Poll Shorthorn PTIC cows from Carrick, TAS returning $1300.

Cow and calf listings were down, with just 217 head listed, including 158 Santa cows from Winton, Qld, as part of the final dispersal of the Walker & Co herd following the sale of the property.

All cows with calves at foot sold from $1160 to $1820 this week, to average $1657. The top price was returned by a line of 63 station mated Santa cows, 3-11 years, with 61 calves at foot, sired by Santa and Charbray bulls. These cows and calves will travel to Blackall, QLD. Other highlights included a line of 17 Angus cows 5-7 years, with April-June drop calves at foot sired by Angus bulls from Trangie, NSW which returned $1620. These cows will travel to Cowra, NSW.

Young cattle stronger

Vendors are looking to capitalise of the strength of the young cattle market as prices continually rise across the board online and at the yards in the eastern states. As a result, weaner & yearling stock supply increased this week, up 2401 to total 6263 head. Buyers responded with clearance going beyond 90pc.

Light steers less than 280kg sold from 230-385c averaging 325c, up 12c on last week. Highlights included 120 Angus weaned steers 9-10 months, 231kg from Corryong, VIC returning 385c; 76 Angus steers aged 3-6 months, 153kg from Barraba, NSW returning 373c; and 110 Angus weaned steers 10-11 months, 238kg from Mount Schank, SA returning 368c.

Steers 280-330kg sold from 289-367c and averaged 323c. Highlights included 10-11 month old Angus weaned steers 284kg from Myrrhee, VIC returning 367c; 11-month-old Angus weaned steers 292kg from Orange, NSW returning 361c; and 10-14 month old Angus cross feeder steers 311kg from Rathdowney, QLD returning 300c.

Southern feedlot buyers liked the heavier steer offerings purchasing the three top lines over 330kg. These cattle sold from 292c to 363c and averaged 333c. Highlights included the top price returned by a line of 12-18 month old feeder steers 372kg from Tamworth, NSW achieving 363c or $1350 buyers terms; 10-11 month of Angus steers 336kg from Cudal, NSW making 356c; 9-13 month old Angus weaners 332kg from Guyra, NSW returning 350c.

Light heifers less than 280kg sold well from 220-321c to average 265c. Highlights included 9-10-month-old Hereford unweaned heifers 212kg from Meningie, SA returning 321c; 7-8 month old Angus weaner heifers 188kg from Wagga Wagga, NSW returning 319c. Station Agencies, Warrabah Station, Manilla, NSW offered 425 weaned Angus heifers across six lines, achieving 100pc clearance and selling from 249-318c to average 292c. These heifers, being sold due to seasonal conditions, were sired by Ben Nevis bulls, and were aged 7-11 months averaging 220kg. They will travel to buyers in NSW and VIC.

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

• Under 200kg: Steers sold from 283-383c to average 330c, while heifers sold from 226-319c to average 282c
• 200-280kg: Steers sold from 230-385c to average 320c, while heifers sold from 220-321c to average 267c
• 280-330kg: Steers sold from 389-367c to average 326c, while heifers sold from 237-302c to average 272c
• 330-400kg: Steers sold from 292-363c to average 330c, while heifers sold from 275-305c to average 289c

Steer Highlights

10 to 12 month old, 225kg, Angus steers from MITCHELL, QLD sold for 329c/$740

6 to 8 month old, 246kg, Charolais/Santa Cross steers from CONDAMINE, QLD sold for 328c/$805

19 to 22 month old, 361kg, Angus steers from CECIL PLAINS, QLD sold for 292c/$1,055

10 to 14 month old, 322kg, Ultra Black/Angus Cross steers from RATHDOWNEY, QLD sold for 300c/$968

3.5 to 6 month old, 153kg, Angus steers from BARRABA, NSW sold for 373c/$570

10 to 11 month old, 237kg, Angus steers from GLEN INNES, NSW sold for 371c/$880

12 to 18 month old, 371kg, Angus steers from TAMWORTH, NSW sold for 364c/$1,350

14 to 16 month old, 375kg, Angus steers from LOOMBERAH, NSW sold for 350c/$1,310

9 to 10 month old, 231kg, Angus steers from CORRYONG, VIC sold for 386c/$890

10 to 11 month old, 284kg, Angus steers from MYRRHEE, VIC sold for 367c/$1,045

9 to 10 month old, 220kg, Hereford steers from MENINGIE, SA sold for 327c/$720

Heifer Highlights

9 to 11 month old, 241kg, Angus/Hereford heifers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 280c/$675

10 to 14 month old, 338kg, Angus heifers from RATHDOWNEY, QLD sold for 275c/$930

16 to 20 month old, 324kg, Santa Gertrudis/Shorthorn heifers from SURAT, QLD sold for 247c/$800

7 to 8 month old, 187kg, Angus heifers from WAGGA WAGGA, NSW sold for 320c/$600

7 to 10 month old, 180kg, Angus heifers from MANILLA, NSW sold for 319c/$575

13 to 14 month old, 366kg, Angus heifers from QUIRINDI, NSW sold for 306c/$1,122

11 to 12 month old, 360kg, Angus/Santa Gertrudis heifers from DUNEDOO, NSW sold for 289c/$1,040

9 to 10 month old, 211kg, Hereford heifers from MENINGIE, SA sold for 322c/$680.

Source: AuctionsPlus