Among larger lines offered this week, Dunluce Grazing, Hughenden, North Queensland sold 525 Droughtmaster and Brahman NSM future breeders 12-17 months in five lots. The heavier Droughtmaster end 340kg sold to $925, with lighter Droughtmasters 297kg making $910, and Brahmans averaging 345kg $940.

AuctionsPlus cattle numbers fell again this week, decreasing another nine percent to 8365 head offered. Numbers have now halved from offerings seen just three weeks ago, producing a lift in most young cattle category rates.

Clearance rates in Friday’s sales improved three percentage points on last week to close the week at 81pc.

Some of the bigger gains this week included heavy heifers +400kg fetching an average of $405/head more than the previous week to average $1387 and PTIC cows earning an average of $350/head on the previous week to average $1767.

Processor/lotfeeder activity eased by 1pc this week, with those buyers accounting for 8pc of the offering.

The biggest movement in listings was in Queensland, where 1000 less head were offered than last week. Purchasing behaviour was similar across all states compared with the previous week.

Steer prices were mostly largely positive this week, with price gains trending in the lighter weight categories and the heavy steers again being stung with losses week-on-week.

Steers 200-280kg lifted 21c/kg to average 402c/kg. The offering of 1332 head produced an 90pc clearance.

Steers 280-330kg slipped 8c/kg to average 378c, with the offering of 1318 head clearing 89pc.

Biggest improvers were steers 330-400kg, which increased an average 60c/kg to 377c, and recording a clearance of 77pc from an offering of 925 head.

From Morven, NSW, 74 Hereford steers 16-17 months averaging 375kg returned 389c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Anakie, Victoria.

Heavy feeder steers +400kg lost 37c this week to average 346c/kg, clearing only 59pc of an offering of 317 head.

Heifers

Heifer prices were mixed the week, with three of five weight categories in the green.

Light heifers 200-280kg attracted 1124 entries, producing a strong 94pc clearance, and prices up 22c to average 322c. Heifers 280-330kg lifted 52c to average 354c, with the offering of 721 head clearing 86pc.

Heifers 330-400kg offered 500 head, producing a total clearance, with prices trending 13c/kg lower to average 295c A small offering of 125 heavy heifers +400kg lifted 87c/kg to average 319c,with a clearance of 100pc.

Sixty four Angus heifers 22-24 months averaging 396kg from Cassilis, NSW returned $1450/head or 366c/kg, and will travel to a buyer near Singleton, NSW.

Breeding females

Lighter breeding stock categories recorded average head price losses week-on-week for SM cows, SM heifers and PTIC heifers, but recorded solid gains in the PTIC cows and SM heifers and cows, which rose by $350/head and $330/head respectively.

From Bathurst, NSW, 21 Angus heifers 34-36 months averaging 478kg returned $2000 or 418c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Goulburn, NSW.

Among larger lines offered this week, Dunluce Grazing, Hughenden, North Queensland sold 525 Droughtmaster and Brahman NSM future breeders 12-17 months in five lots. The heavier Droughtmaster end 340kg sold to $925, with lighter Droughtmasters 297kg making $910, and Brahmans averaging 345kg $940.

Prices as at 2pm Friday July 12.

Source: AuctionsPlus