These 250 Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 305kg from Walcha in northern NSW returned $1310/head or 429c/kg on Friday, and will remain locally.

THERE was a big jump in listings on Elders and Nutrien’s AuctionsPlus online platform this week, although the clearance dropped to 48pc from 77pc the week before.

Medium and heavier steer and heifer categories were either steady , or somewhat higher than last week in c/kg terms, while lighter categories tended to soften.

NSW was the biggest contributor to the market, more than doubling its offering to 9254 head to account for 56pc of the overall number. NSW was also the largest purchaser, even with a 6pc drop in purchases on last week. Queensland buyers were again active, buying 50pc more stock than last week.

Steer prices were mixed, with the 200-280kg category entries losing24c/kg on last week to average 396c/kg. The category offering more than doubled to 2387 head and produced a 62pc clearance. Prices ranged from 247-454c.

From Maclagan, QLD 30 Charbray steers 6-8 months averaging 240kg returned 454c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Mount Emlyn, QLD.

Steers 280-330kg jumped 85pc in offering size to 2387 head and averaged 381c/kg and lost 2c/kg on last week for a 46pc clearance. Prices ranged from 326-429c.

From Walcha, 250 Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 305kg returned $1310/head or 429c/kg and will remain locally.

Heifers

Young heifers Heifers 200-280kg doubled in number to 1899 head, but prices dropped 26c/kg from last week to average 303c/kg, with clearance at 51pc. Prices ranged from 204-355c.

From Bombala NSW, 72 Angus heifers 6-8 months averaging 273kg returned 355c and will travel to a buyer near Cooma, NSW.

Heifers 280=330kg lost 13c/kg on last week to average 296c, with almost 2000 yarded.

A healthy price rise for heifers 330-400kg was the highlight for females this week. A 37pc larger offering of 719 head saw a 336c/kg average, up 37c, with a strong 87pc clearance. Prices ranged from 306-366c.

From Holbrook, NSW 85 Angus heifers 18-20 months averaging 339kg returned 366c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Albury, NSW.

Breeding females

Offering numbers grew in some breeding stock categories this week. There was a five-fold increase in station-mated heifers, a quadrupling in SM cows and calves and an eight-fold increase in SM heifers and calves. Across those categories however, clearance was a disappointing 30pc.

The bigger lines of breeding stock were in PTIC heifers and PTIC cows, which saw 1127 head and 1772 head respectively.

PTIC heifers averaged $1776 — up $130 from last week but achieved just 33pc clearance. PTIC Cows averaged $1876 – up $70 for a 43pc clearance. SM cows enjoyed a $1034/head price gain on last week to average $2206 – although clearance was only 25pc.

Prices as at 2pm Friday 12 April.

Source: AuctionsPlus