Among larger steer lines offered this week were 244 weaners, mostly Santa x Hereford types showing plenty of heterosis, drafted into two lines by age and weight, from Augathella, southwestern Queensland. The heavier line of 129 steers, 345kg at 8-14 months, averaged 391c/kg, while a lighter line of 115 averaging 281kg, aged 6-12 months, made 413c/kg.

Lighter steers and heifers lifted in c/kg value while heavier lines tended to lose ground in an offering of just short of 10,000 head on AuctionsPlus last week.

Despite listing numbers falling 7pc on the previous week, demand was reduced, with clearance falling five percentage points to 78pc. The heavier end of the market slumped in both price and clearance rate.

Processor/lotfeeder activity dropped below 4pc of turnover this week, down from 8.6pc the week before. Queensland was the largest listing state this week, with the 4617 head slightly back on last week. Queensland was also the largest purchasing state, taking 3428 head.

A limited yarding of steers less than 200kg was met with positive buyer demand, as prices lifted 115c/kg to average 405c/kg.

From Epping Forest, TAS, Angus steers 11-12 months averaging 193kg returned $820/head, or 426c/kg, and will travel to a buyer near Launceston, TAS.

Steers 200-2280kg attracted 1486 head, with pricing edging 2c higher to average 410c, with a clearance rate of 89pc.

A smaller offering of 481 steers 280-330kg lost 5c in value to average 410c, clearing 99pc. Steers 330-400kg attracted 1200 entries, with prices edging1c higher to average 409c.

Steers 400kg and above dropped significantly in price by an average of 40c/kg to average 378c, ending a good run of increasing values. The offering was smaller than last week and recorded a 78pc clearance.

A run of 61 Angus steers 13 months averaging 466kg from Cootamundra, NSW, returned $2000/head, or 429c/kg, and will travel to a buyer near Anakie, VIC.

Among larger steer lines offered this week were 244 weaners, mostly Santa x Hereford types showing plenty of heterosis, drafted into two lines by age and weight, from Augathella, southwestern Queensland. The heavier line of 129 steers, 345kg at 8-14 months, averaged 391c/kg, while a lighter line of 115 averaging 281kg, aged 6-12 months, made 413c/kg.

Heifers

Heifer categories had mixed results this week, with light weight categories posting some strong prices, but easing for most heavier weights.

The most populous heifer category was again the 200-280kg group with the 1232 head falling lifting 17c/kg to average 352c, and achieving a 92pc clearance.

From Glen Innes, NSW, 86 Angus heifers 10-12 months averaging 273kg returned 413c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Tenterfield, NSW.

Heifers 280-330kg lost 17c on last week to average 360c, clearing 86pc of the offering of 714 head.

Heifers less than 200kg led the charge from a gains perspective, with a tiny offering of 39 head lifting 115c/kg to average 314c.

Breeding females

Breeding stock had a mostly strong week, with only two categories falling on last week. SM heifers recorded the biggest average price increase at $925 to average $2110. Meanwhile SM cows & calves also had significant gains with $838/head improvement on average week on week.

Twenty three Angus heifers 18-23 months averaging 540kg from Tamworth, NSW, returned $2660/head and will travel to a buyer near Bathurst, NSW.

Prices as at 9pm Friday August 23.

Source: AuctionsPlus