PTIC heifers averaged $1610 and sold to a top of $1820 for this line of Booroomooka blood Angus heifers from Bingara NSW. The heifers 446kg at 16-17 months were PTIC to Angus bulls.

LARGE lines of cattle from very dry areas of eastern Australia continued to feature on AuctionsPlus this week. Listings eased a little to total 9374 head across three commercial sales, but still noticeably higher than earlier volumes.

A decrease in clearance rates was seen this week, reflecting the dry conditions across most states. Despite a lower clearance overall, most prices remained reasonably firm, with the exception of heavier heifers and lightest steer categories, which tended to decline.

Joined females this week produced an offering of 2309 head, with the biggest proportion out of NSW.

PTIC heifers averaged $1610 and sold to a top of $1820 for a line of 23 Booroomooka blood Angus heifers, account HM & JC Munro at Bingara NSW. The heifers 446kg at 16-17 months were PTIC to Angus bulls.

Proven breeders this week averaged $1287 and sold to a top of $1725 for a line of 47 Angus cows & calves, account Betrola Investments, Coolah, NSW. Averaging 554kg at 3-4 years, they were PTIC to Angus bulls.

Out of Queensland, a line of 99 Droughtmaster cows & calves, re-joined to Santa bulls, from Barcaldine made $1240.

Cows & calves this week had a total listing of 560 head, mostly out of dry areas of Western Queensland, averaging $1393 and topping $1600. Top price went to a line of 46 510kg Santa cows with calves from Moulamein, NSW. A line of Angus cows & calves from Clifton, QLD, cows averaging 531kg, made $1570.

Looking to WA, cattle numbers fell slightly this week. Despite the drop in numbers a 100pc clearance was achieved, reaching a top price of $1970 and an average of $1608. The top price went to a line of Simmental/Angus steers & heifers from Balingup, weighing 776kg.

Another highlight from WA was a neat line of mixed sex Angus yearlings from Northcliffe, weighing 520kg and selling for $1414 or 525c/kg.

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

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 298c to 391c to average 344c/kg; while heifers sold from 255-334c to average 296c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 301-322c to average 311c; while heifers sold from 270-294c to average 287c
• Steers 300-350kg sold for 295-332c to average 314c; while heifers sold from 275-295c to average 285c
• Steers 350kg + sold from 268-285c to average 277c ; while heifers sold from 239-278c to average 257c.

Steer Highlights

Angus steers 8-9 months, 207kg, from BATHURST, NSW sold for 392c/kg or $810

Droughtmaster steers 5-7 months, 230kg, from WINTON, QLD sold for 335c/kg or $770

Angus steers 10-11 months, 402kg, from JABUK, SA sold for 286c/kg or $1144

Heifer Highlights

Shorthorn heifers 5-6 months, 159kg, from MERRIWA, NSW sold for 335c/kg or $530

Angus Cross heifers 7-10 months, 245kg, from MUNDUBBERA, QLD sold for 308c/kg or $755

Angus heifers 16-18 months, 491kg, from BALMORAL, VIC sold for 245c/kg or $1200

Angus heifers 9-11 months, 384kg, from JABUK, SA sold for 279c/kg or $1069

Wagyu vendor trials tender option on AuctionsPlus

Western Australian Wagyu breeder Irongate Nominees is trialling the tender system in a big offering of 1000 F1 Wagyu x Angus weaners being marketed on AuctionsPlus over the week.

The tender opened this week, and concludes on 23 February. At the close, the vendor receives all the conforming tender offers lodged with AuctionsPlus, and makes a decision.

Volume is obviously a key sale feature in the offering, as is the desirable performance genetics involved in the Irongate cattle. The steers and heifers, offered in a single line, range in age from 10-15 months, 311kg average. Cattle are ideal for the feedlot placement, and the female portion would make future breeders for F2 programs. Cattle are all bred out of high marble score/TCI Irongate bulls and are out of quality Angus cows.

Individuals lodging a tender must be registerd AuctionsPlus users.

The sale is part of an annual weaner turnoff from Peter Gilmour’s Irongate Wagyu.

Contact is Mitch Braithwaite, Landmark on 0427 702 311.

Sample of the offering of 1000 Wagyu F1 weaners being offered by tender through AuctionsPlus