Part of a line of 75 Angus steers 15 months averaging 461kg from Condobolin, NSW which returned 319c/kg on Friday, heading for a feedlot buyer near Jondaryan, QLD.

THE recent rally in the cattle market has sparked higher levels of online vendor interest last week, with AuctionsPlus recording an offering of 15,104 head, lifting 47pc from the previous week – its largest catalogue since early June.

In fact there’s been only about six weekly AuctionsPlus sale cycles that have offered more cattle all year.

While clearance eased to 79pc from the previous week’s 91pc, buyer appetite remained robust with steers in all categories showing strong price gains.

Breeding stock also saw a significant jump, particularly for station mated cows and heifers and PTIC cows.

The recent rain and improved availability of pasture has reversed the recent trend of feeders enjoying a price premium over weaners.

That appears to be particularly the case for the southern states, with AuctionsPlus’s weaner and yearling sale for NSW, VIC and SA on Friday recording more than 5500 head offered for a 92pc clearance. The sale delivered an average of $1137 per head.

The weaner and yearling sale for northern NSW and Queensland did not see such exuberant buying. The 6829 head delivered a 70pc clearance and an average price of $998 a head, although prices jumped to as much as $1470 for ‘good’ black cattle.

Lotfeeders have also been unusually active in the market this week, perhaps due to the impact recent rains have had on deliveries, securing 12pc of the cattle sold.

Recent price drops for beef at the supermarket may also be pulling more lotfeeders/processors into the market. According to MLA, retail volume is up 8pc year-on-year in the last three months, as consumers fill their baskets with cheaper beef.

Steers were in particular demand online last week, with all categories rising in listings and price gains.

Steers 200-280kg registered a larger offering of 1145 head and averaged 387c/kg lwt – up 30c/kg or $49/head from last week for an 84pc clearance. Prices ranged from 181-470c. From Scone, NSW 70 Angus steers 6-9 months averaging 206kg returned 470c/kg, and will travel to a buyer near Dirranbandi, QLD.

Feeder steers 400kg and heavier doubled in terms of offering but it didn’t hurt prices. Across the 2180 head, prices rose 19c/kg or $100 a head to average 298c or $1316 while still delivering a 91pc clearance. Prices ranged from 152-319c.

From Condobolin, NSW 75 Angus steers 15 months averaging 461kg returned 319c/kg, and will travel to a buyer near Jondaryan, QLD.

Young steers were in particular demand with supply down on last week. Steers less than 200kg on offer decreased 25pc to 131 head and averaged 466c/kg. That is a $225 per head price rise on last week for a 100pc clearance.

Prices ranged from 348-508c. From Pallamallawa, QLD 95 Angus steers 4-6 months averaging 163kg returned 508c or $830/head, and will travel to a buyer in Boomi, NSW.

Heifers 200-280kg saw a larger offering of 1677 head but had a weaker showing in terms of price. Prices averaged 296c/kg, down 7c from the previous week. Clearance at 87pc remained strong, while prices ranged from 194-333c.

A line of 92 Angus heifers 13-15 months averaging 285kg from Tooma, NSW returned 328c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Bendigo, VIC

Heifers 330-400kg registered a larger offering of 1136 head and averaged 287c/kg, up 28c from the previous week for a 68pc clearance. Prices ranged from 193-329c.

From Augathella, QLD 90 Santa x Angus heifers 13-18 months averaging 383kg returned 295c/kg or $1130/head and will travel to a buyer near Moura, QLD.

Breeding females

Most categories of breeding females delivered price gains, although clearance was patchier.

SM cows & calves registered a smaller offering of 346 head and averaged $2004/head – up $352 from last week for a 99pc clearance. From Molong, NSW 113 Charolais cross cows 3-6 years averaging 512kg returned $1930/head and will travel to a buyer near Gunnedah, NSW.

PTIC cows more than doubled in terms of offering to 480 head and also increased in average price. While clearance dropped to 68pc compared to last week’s 98pc, prices rose $267 to average $1935/head.

From Branxholme, NSW 66 Angus cows 3/4 years averaging 538kg returned $2020 and will travel to a buyer near Meningie, SA.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 1 December

Source: AuctionsPlus