Steer highlights this week included these 29 Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 276kg from Adelong, NSW returning 615c/kg when bought by a buyer from Muttama, NSW.

CATTLE listings lifted 13 percent to 18,344 head on AuctionsPlus on Friday, although clearances fell sharply to 59pc as vendors and buyers struggled to find common ground.

Young cattle price trends were mixed, although the overall trend was down, with seven of ten weight categories lower in c/kg terms.

There was a strong correlation between the offering size and price movements. The five largest offering categories, ranging from 2000-3100 head, all trended down in substantial double digits.

A large offering of 3112 heifers 200-280kg produced a clearance of only 54pc, with prices averaging 30c/kg lower at 470c/kg, while the offering of almost 2400 heifers 280-330kg also lost 30c to average 524c, clearing 65pc.

A similar trend was seen in light steers, where 200-280kg examples mustered almost 2600 head, with clearance at 73pc, and prices back 35c to average 560c. Steers 280-330kg yarded almost 2000 head, clearing 63pc, with prices 29c lower 563c, while the 2100 steers 330-400kg cleared 45pc to average 554c, down 15c.

On the positive side among price trends were feeder steers +400kg, up 7c to average 563c, clearing two thirds of the offering of 993 head. Similar weight heifers were 9c lower at 509c average.

The steer premium over heifers sat at 59c/kg.

Steer highlights included 29 Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 276kg from Adelong, NSW returned 615c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Muttama, NSW.

Among larger southern steer lines, 70 Angus backgrounder steers, verified Hazeldean genetics, 301kg at 9-11 months from the NSW Southern Tablelands made 583c/kg or $1760, while 77 Angus feeder steers 351kg at 10-12 months from Goulburn on the Southern Tablelands made 546c/kg.

Further north, 120 Angus x Brangus/Charbray feeder steers 438kg at 12-24 months from Muttaburra Northwest Queensland made 509c/kg. Near Taroom in Central Queensland, 136 Angus weaned steers 295kg at 10-12 months made 538c/kg.

Reflecting recent price lifts for Wagyu F1s, 23 Wagyu heifers 12-24 months averaging 305kg from Guyra, NSW, returned 864c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Baralaba, QLD.

Breeding females

Breeding stock offerings totalled 2570 head, clearing only 33pc.

Five of the nine categories showed some price improvement.

Station-mated cows averaged $1667, down $79 on last week, producing a clearance of 42pc of the 418 head offered. SM heifers lifted $285 in value, but cleared only 22pc of the 313 offered.

PTIC cows produced an offering of 1251 head, but cleared only 26pc, averaging $2070, up $127 on last week.

SM cows and calves averaged $2,759/head from 70 head at 49% clearance, ranging $2,600–$3,500. NSM heifers and calves cleared 70% of 23 head at $2,531/head, with a VOR of +$167.

A line of 64 Santa PTIC cows 3-7 years averaging 576kg from St George, QLD, returned $2480 and will travel to a buyer near Barcaldine, QLD.

NSW was the largest cattle supply state this week, lifting 36pc week-on-week to 8281 head. Queensland offered 7194 head, down 9pc. Victoria contributed 1953 head, up 35pc.

Angus-specific listings totalled 10,121 head, up 24pc, clearing 56pc.

Source: AuctiuonsPlus