From Molong, NSW, this five year old unregistered Highland cow weighing 504kg, returned $4640, or 922c/kg yesterday, and will travel to a buyer in Coolum Beach, QLD. Her somewhat heavier sister 590kg made $4200. The purchasing address says it all.

CATTLE listings on Nutrien and Elders’ online platform AuctionsPlus fell by 27 percent this week to 15,568 head, with most heifer categories coming under further price pressure.

The total offering of steers reached 5138 head and heifers 5022 head – with each category back around 2000 head from the previous week. The ANZAC Day public holiday on Thursday disrupted some trade.

All states recorded reduced listings, apart from Tasmania, which had a very small uptick. Likewise all states recorded fewer purchases.

Steers received mixed prices compared to last week, with steers 330-400kg dropping 16c/kg to average 321c, producing a 45pc clearance. From Curban, NSW, 17 Angus steers 9-12 months averaging 391kg returned 345c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Caringbah, NSW.

Other steer categories were firm to slightly dearer. An offering of 1517 steers 280-330kg averaged 370c, up 4c on last week, while 2112 steers 200-280kg were unchanged averaging 368c.

These 64 unweaned Angus steers 245kg at 6-9 months from Texas southern Qld made 404c/kg yesterday, while their 64 heifer sisters averaging 230kg made 279c/kg.

Heifers

Heifer prices were down across all weight categories this week except for the 280-330kg category, which recorded an increase of 14c to average 280c/kg, producing a 31pc clearance.

From Warren NSW, 123 Charbray/composite heifers 10-16 months averaging 375kg returned 280c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Dalby, QLD.

An offering of 1491 heifers 330-400kg averaged 274c, down 14c, clearing 59pc, while light heifers 200-280kg were down 2c, averaging 275c.

Breeding females

Most breeding female categories recorded losses of more than $100 a head this week

There was a $494/head increase in the average price of NSM cows and calves, averaging $1954, while PTIC cows enjoyed a $57/head increase on last week.

Big falls were seen for an offering of 1151 PTIC heifers, which fell $201 to average $1472, and station-mated cows and calves, back $160 to average $1508.

From Molong, NSW, one five year old Highland cow weighing 504kg, returned $4640, or 922c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Coolum Beach, QLD. Her somewhat heavier sister 590kg made $4200. The purchasing address says it all.

Among larger lines offered this week, there were no bids on a run of 186 NSM Santa x Brahman cows and calves offered by Paraway Pastoral Co, Blackall Qld.

There were no bids on an offering of 280 Beefmaster steers 388kg at 14-17 months from Richmond Qld, and no bids on 120 Brangus backgrounder heifers 192kg at 15-18 months.

A line of 160 weaned Droughtmaster heifers 215kg at 5-11 months from Adavale, Western Queensland was passed in for 225c/kg.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 26 April

Source: AuctionsPlus