These weaned steers were part of an offering of 778 Santa EU-eligible steers and heifers from Rolleston, Central Queensland sold on Friday. Among the steers, the lighter end averaging 227kg at 5-8 months, made 446c/kg, and the heavier end, pictured here, 290kg at 8-12 months made 407.5c.

WHILE light steers and heifers showed some price improvement, results for medium and heavier categories were mixed in a larger yarding of 14,948 head on Nutrien and Elders online marketing platform AuctionsPlus on Friday.

The yarding was up 27pc on last week, as the impact of ex Cyclone Alfred passes, however the clearance dropped to 51pc. Expectations over the market were lifted by rain, resulting in reserves that were higher than the appetite of some buyers.

Listings in all states were up, except for South Australia and Tasmania. Purchasing activity decreased slightly into NSW, Tasmania and South Australia but remained fairly steady. NSW remains the greatest listing and purchasing state. There was very positive pricing in Queensland this week, with good quality lines of cattle offered from volume vendors out of central western Queensland.

Steers 200-280kg were the largest category listed, with 2952 head yarded. Prices lifted 26c/kg to average 447c, with a clearance of 70pc.

As part of an annual campaign by Consuelo Cattle Co out of Rolleston in Central Queensland, 508 Santa weaned steers 5-12 months were sold in four lots, along with 271 heifer sisters.

The lighter end of the Consuelo steers, averaging 227kg at 5-8 months, made 446c/kg, and will travel to a buyer near Wandoan. The heavier lots 290kg at 8-12 months made 407.5c. The three pens of weaned heifer sisters sold to 356c/kg for a run of 126 heifers averaging 216kg at 5-8 months.

Mediumweight steers 280-330kg produced an offering of 1544 head, clearing 62pc, with prices back 6c to average 401c/kg.

A reduced yarding of 447 heavier steers +400kg produced a 1c/kg easing in prices to average 374c, but clearing only 40pc.

Among other larger lines of steers offered this week were:

• 156 Black composite backgrounder steers from Hughenden, North Queensland 240kg at 12-14 months that made 400c/kg
• 260 Santa feeder steers 445kg at 15-17 months out of Teelba in southern Queensland that made 359c/kg
• 210 Angus steers 10-14 months averaging 263kg from Goondiwindi, Southern Qld sold in two lots, making 445c and 441c.

Heifer price trends were choppy, with the best results seen for entries 200-280kg, where an offering of 1072 head cleared 48pc. Prices trended 16c higher to average 326c.

Heifers 280-330kg produced an offering of 1501 head, clearing 65pc, with prices down 4cx/kg to average 330c.

From Murrindindi, Victoria, 15 Angus heifers 18-22 months averaging 503kg returned 358c/kg or $1800 and will travel to a buyer near Yea, Victoria.

Breeding females

Breeding female categories were mixed, with PTIC heifers and cows both down, averaging $73 and $387 cheaper respectively. Some gains were seen in station-mated heifers (+$57) and station-mated cows and calves (+$287).

From Epping Forest, Tasmania Angus cows 3-4 years averaging 546kg returned $1660 and will travel to a buyer near Whitemore, Tasmania.

Source: AuctionsPlus