Part of a line of 113 Santa steers 20-26 months averaging 480kg from Barcaldine, Queensland, that returned $2370 on Friday, headed to Dalby, Queensland.

COMMERCIAL cattle offerings increased 16 percent this week on AuctionsPlus, to 16,517 head.

Consistent price trends were hard to find through the young cattle market, with the see-sawing weekly movements likely to continue for the remainder of the year.

The overall clearance rate hit 74pc this week at the close of the sale, with the average value over reserve easing 12% to $243/head.

With the extent of the flooding through large swathes of eastern Australia, the weekly volatility in supply and subsequently, price movements, is likely to be a feature of the market for several months to come.

With the current outlook for above average falls into early 2023, producers are set to jump at opportunities to move stock and generate cash flow – with the research into location of desirable lines and suitability of access roads increasing significantly this week.

An increased offering of 200-280kg steers, at 1818 head, contributed to an overall decline in the average category price for the week, slipping $205/head on last week to $1729/head.

Despite the much larger offering, the clearance rate jumped to 75pc, up from the subdued 49pc last week. From Richmond, Northern Queensland, a run consisting of 152 Brahman cross steers 12-15 months averaging 247kg returned $1300.

Steers 280-330kg dropped an average $253/head on last week, to $2091. Contributing to the decline was a more than doubling of supply, with 2129 head offered selling to a 73pc clearance.

In contrast, 330-400kg steers managed to finish the week higher, at $2255/head – with a 77pc clearance for the 1123 head offered. From Uralla, NSW, 19 Angus steers 10-12 months averaging 370kg returned $2430 – selling for $400 above their reserve.

Feeder steer numbers kicked 125pc higher for the week, to 1696 head, finishing with a 62pc clearance. After last week’s $258 jump, prices averaged $38 lower this week, at $2348/head. A line of 14 Angus yearling steers 16-18 months averaging 456kg from Launceston, Tasmania returned $2760 and will travel to Smithton, Tasmania.

Out of the north, 113 Santa steers 20-26 months averaging 480kg from Barcaldine, Queensland, returned $2370 – headed to Dalby, Queensland.

There were again some large price moves through the young heifer lines this week, as quality and location played a part in buyers’ intentions. Heifers 200-280kg averaged $224 higher this week, with the 1252 head averaging $1622 and hitting an 82pc clearance.

A line of 30 Angus heifers from Crow’s Nest, Southern Queensland, 12-15 months averaging 279kg returned $2220/head – selling $600 above reserve to a buyer in Milmerran, Queensland.

After a considerable drop last week, 280-330kg heifers averaged $397 higher, at $2133/head. Contributing to the jump was three even lines totalling 150 head of Angus future breeder heifers from Goolma, NSW. Aged 14-16 months and averaging 300kg, the heifers returned $2460/head – $400 above reserve, to a buyer in Dubbo, NSW.

A 22pc jump in the supply of 330-400kg heifers, to 1583 head, had a minor impact on overall returns for the category – slipping back $23 on last week, to average $2182/head.

From Camperdown, Victoria, 75 13-14-month-old Angus heifers averaging 351kg returned $2640 – $440 above their reserve. The heifers will travel to a buyer in Macorna, Victoria.

A thin offering of 400kg+ heifers contributed to a $272 decline in the average price for the week, erasing all of last week’s $86 increase. Averaging $2314/head, the 405 head sold to a 70pc clearance, with 19 heifers from Henty, NSW Riverina 15-16 months averaging 416kg returning $2530.

Breeding cattle

The breeding section of the market continues to be very selective on both sides of the transaction. PTIC heifers made up most of the market, with the 1985 head offered hitting a 53pc clearance. After last week’s massive $467 price jump, the average slipped back $78, to $2821. A line of 46 PTIC Angus heifers averaging 491kg at 19-26 months from Walcha, NSW, returned $4000. The heifers were joined to high marbling Wagyu bulls and will travel to Gracemere, Queensland.

PTIC cow numbers halved on last week, with the 654 head offered selling to a 79pc clearance and averaging $3105. From Glen Innes, NSW, 18 four-year-old Angus x Hereford cows 656kg returned $3380, heading to a buyer in Molong, NSW.

From Padthaway, South Australia 15 unjoined Angus cows 7-8 years averaging 646kg with CAF returned $3850 and will travel interstate to Merino, Victoria.

Out of Adelong, NSW, two even lines totalling 52 two-year-old Angus cows 526kg joined to Moogenilla Angus bulls, returned $4640.

Prices as at 2pm, Friday 4 November.

Source: AuctionsPlus