Out of Talwood in southern Queensland, these 49 PTIC Droughtmaster heifers 15-18 months averaging 353kg, PTIC to Ultrablack and Angus bulls, made 797.3c/kg, or $2820 a head.

THE second last week of AuctionsPlus commercial sales for 2021 delivered mixed results through the main young cattle categories last week, with the 16,741 head offered – up 22pc on last week – representing the largest weekly offering since the start of November.

While overall price movements left no definite trend, the market continues to sit atop a price Everest, with yet another record for the EYCI on Thursday.

Prices fluctuated within categories, but a clear feature included an increase in passed-in rates at the immediate closure of the sale, as some vendors tested the buyer’s willingness to “pay-up”. While these passed-in rates will fall in coming days as post-sale negotiations continue with the highest bidders, the lack of seasonal pressure to sell is a major characteristic of the current market.

The largest young steer category this week was 200-280kg steers, which remained steady on last week, averaging $1775/head – with an 88pc clearance rate for the 2037 head offered. A resurgent heavy steer offering, with 2152 head offered, sold to a 93pc clearance, with c/kg prices steady on last week, averaging 569c/kg, while the equivalent $/head price slipped $20, to average $2506.

The young heifer market was three-up-two-down this week, with an over 90pc clearance attained for the three mid-weight categories. The 1155 head of 200-280kg heifers averaged $89 higher, at $1,810/head, while 330-400kg lines averaged $56 higher, at $2201/head. The 280-330kg heifers averaged $24 lower for the week, at $1920.

The results from Queensland physical markets were again matched through online sales, with another amazing clearance rate for the week. The recent rain and La Nina forecasts for the summer has seen buyers put “their foot to the floor” in chasing suitable lines of cattle.

The looming sale hiatus over the Christmas and New Year period has also added a sense of urgency to the market, assisting the recent rises. The 1031 head of Queensland based 200-280kg steers which sold through AuctionsPlus last week averaged $1915/head – 8pc higher than the corresponding national average (which was influenced by dairy cattle lines).

PTIC heifers made up the largest proportion of the breeding lines this week, with the 2320 head offered achieving an 85pc clearance. The category averaged $86 higher, at $3121. The national Angus weekly price summary showed that PTIC Angus heifer lines averaged $3263 for the week, with a 77pc clearance for 1345 head offered.

Out of Talwood in southern Queensland, 49 PTIC Droughtmaster heifers 15-18 months averaging 353kg, PTIC to Ultrablack and Angus bulls, made 797.3c/kg, or $2820 a head.

Colin Thexton, from Independent Rural Agents, on Monday ran his 30th consecutive online only commercial WA cattle sale on AuctionsPlus. The sale had 2066 head offered from a number of different vendors across southern Western Australia. The offering comprised of a variety of different stock categories including steers, heifers, cows and calves, PTIC heifers and PTIC cows. The sale sold to robust demand, achieving a 100pc clearance, with prices averaging $156/head above the set reserve levels.

Source: AuctionsPlus