Off Meda Station, up the Gibb River road east of Derby, WA, Blina Proprietors sold 1897 mostly Red Brahman heifers, backgrounder or future breeder types in store condition, offered in 10 lots. Most were six decks totalling 204 head each. The heifers were mostly 16-20 months, with a few pens including some out to 24 months, mostly averaging around 278kg. Prices ranged from 326-375c/kg, equating to $780-$850 a head.

THERE was another big supply surge across online cattle markets this week, with 19,477 head offered on AuctionsPlus – up 25 percent on last week.

Results were mixed across the categories, as the clearance rates remained high through the larger lines offered.

Big falls were recorded in average c/kg rates for light steers, with entries averaging less than 200kg down 44c/kg on average, and those 200-280kg back 50c/kg. Medium weights fared better, with steers 280-330kg up 13c/kg on average, and heifers in the same weight range up 23c.

While the historically low national herd, combined with the seasonal conditions, has underpinned the record market throughout 2021, the rise in supplies offered through AuctionsPlus over the past four weeks has failed to dampen sentiment.

An additional 40pc of cattle have been offered through AuctionsPlus for the past four weeks compared with the corresponding period last year – totalling 67,632 head. Indeed, the online market appears to have cleared a “major supply hurdle” in recent weeks – signalling that there is still plenty of room left in wet paddocks, with a confidence and willingness to spend to optimise spring conditions.

Boosted by some larger offerings out of northern Queensland and WA (details below), the supply of young heifers increased 97pc this week, to 6257 head – the main contributor to the larger weekly total. This is the second week in four where the market has experienced a big surge in young, unjoined females, albeit, assisted by proactive and motivated vendors.

The 200-280kg heifer category averaged 14c lower on last week, at 585c, with the 3926 head offered reaching an 88pc clearance.

An offering of 660 Brahman heifers by Consolidated Pastoral Co off Wrotham Park near Chillagoe in the lower Peninsula, Far North Queensland, sold from 419-427c/kg or about $1330 a head.

Off Meda Station, up the Gibb River road east of Derby, WA, Blina Proprietors sold 1897 mostly Red Brahman heifers, backgrounder or future breeder types in store condition, offered in 10 lots. Most were six decks totalling 204 head each. The heifers were mostly 16-20 months, with a few pens including some out to 24 months, mostly averaging around 278kg. Prices ranged from 326c/kg to 375c/kg, equating to between $780 and $850 a head. A single pen of 204 of their steer brothers, 16-24 months averaging 254kg, made 409c or $1040 a head.

Further south, out of Rocky Creek on the NSW northwest slopes and plains came 69 Hereford backgrounder heifers, 8-12 months averaging 219kg, which made 689c/kg or $1505 a head.

out of Rocky Creek on the NSW northwest slopes and plains came 69 Hereford backgrounder heifers, 8-12 months averaging 219kg, which made 689c/kg or $1505 a head.

It was primarily a cheaper steer market this week, with some considerable declines through the lightest two categories – even with strong clearance rates of 89pc and 91pc, respectively.

For the proven breeding lines, PTIC heifer numbers were back slightly on last week, at 1462 head – averaging up $21, to $2436/head for the week.

Included was 39 PTIC Angus heifers out of Guyra NSW, 21-23 months averaging 389kg, sell to $2750/head. Similarly, 45 PTIC Angus heifers out of St George, Queensland, averaging 431kg sold to $2830.

Prices as at 2pm Friday 6 August.

Processor secures quality beef order at Ekka Prime Beef auction

Killarney-based beef processor, McMahon Brothers, secured premium quality finished steers via StockLive during the Ekka Prime Beef Auction at the Silverdale Saleyards on Wednesday, where the lead pen topped the sale at $3317/head.

Despite the Royal Queensland Show being cancelled due to COVID restrictions, the sale went on, and cattle from the Prime Beef Cattle competition were met with fierce demand from both the virtual and in-person bidding gallery.

Ben McMahon, Lehman Stock and Property, Inverell, was buying on behalf of McMahon Brothers, which marked the first time the wholesale business, that supplies first-grade beef, pork and lamb to butchers across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, had purchased online.

“McMahon Brothers are always chasing premium quality, well finished cattle,” he said.

“This time we were looking for stock around the 360kg to 500kg mark.”

Highlights in the run included a Hayes Allery offering of a 450kg Charbray cross steer, which made $2182.

Wilkins and Gaske also had a pen snapped up by the processor, with their Charbray cross steers averaging 412kg reaching 484c/kg, to return $1994/head.

Jundah Grazing had two pens bought by McMahon Brothers, one a 446kg beast for 462c/kg which returned $2060 and the other a 446kg steer for 456c/kg returning $2033.

RNA Beef Councilor Gary Noller said the livestream and auctioning technology StockLive provided proved essential, given the COVID-19 restrictions.

“As a Royal show, and given the competition we run alongside the sale, we needed people to be able to see the cattle live and also be able to bid in real time,” Mr Noller said.

JS Grazing sold a line of Angus heifers to a new yards record of 894.2c/kg, returning $2644.46 to average $2,557.57.

“This meant regardless of where buyers were, they were able to still place their bid on an outstanding run of cattle.”

Heifers also attracted strong demand at the sale, with the top pen of three averaging 473kg from P Tom and E Surawski reaching $2319/head, selling for 490c/kg.

Earlier in the week, Elite Livestock Auctions, a sister company of StockLive, contributed to a record-breaking sale at the Roma Saleyards on Tuesday where a feature run of Angus cattle hit 894c/kg.

The JS Grazing line reached a top of $2644/head and the full run averaged $2557/head.

The premium offering, bought by Tessa Cameron, boasted Millah Murrah bloodlines, was EU accredited and bunk trained.

Sources: AuctionsPlus, Stocklive