From Muttaburra, western Queensland, these 133 Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster cross feeder steers 17-20 months averaging 409kg returned 518.3c/kg or $2120 on Friday.

OFFERINGS in AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales decreased slightly this week to 18,817 head – down 13pc, in line with the seasonal trend as the industry settles into winter.

Cold and wet conditions again contributed to mixed results across the offering, with most categories declining in value. Selective buying continued as producers balance confidence in the season for the incoming spring with reduced pasture growth rates during a cold winter.

The offering of 200-280kg steers was again a major contributor to numbers, with 3070 head going up for sale. Prices were down $95 on last week to average $1736/head, while the overall clearance climbed to 75pc.

From Inglewood, Queensland, a line of 122 Red Angus weaned steers 6-9-months averaging returned $2010.

With a reduced offering of 1676 head, 280-330kg steers regained some of the losses of the previous week to average $2036 – up $108. From Gelliondale, Victoria, 28 Angus weaned steers 9-10 months averaging 325kg returned $2170/head.

The heavy steer category was a similar story with 1025 head offered lower than the 1489 the week before. Prices increased $104 on last week to average $2185 while clearance rates were lower at 50pc. The small offering of 400kg+ steers averaged $2270 – back $179 on last week.

From Muttaburra, Queensland, 133 Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster cross feeder steers 17-20 months old averaging 409kg returned 518.3c/kg or $2120.

The offering of heifer categories was stable, but the results were mixed, while overall clearance remained subdued. The slightly lower offering of 280-330kg heifers was sold into a stronger market with average price increasing $62 to $1613 and the clearance increasing to 53pc from 48pc last week.

A line of 47 Angus unweaned heifers from Glen Innes, NSW 8-9 months averaging 255kg returned $1780.

A larger offering of 280-330kg heifers also regained some of the losses from last week to average $1873 – up $165.

From Blackwater, Queensland, 120 Hereford backgrounder heifers 13-19 months averaging 300kg returned $1780/head.

The heaviest heifer categories fell back further from last week with 330-400kg entries averaging $1950, down $131, and 400kg+ heifers averaging $2359 – down $79.

From Goornong, Victoria, 21 Angus weaned heifers 10-11 months averaging 344kg returned $2420.

Breeding cattle

PTIC female lines dominated the categories of proven breeders accounting for 23pc of the offering. Buyers remain highly selective with subdued clearance rates and lower prices recorded for most categories.

PTIC heifers increased to 3455 head from 2740 the week before. The influx caused prices to fall to $2557/head – down $144, while the clearance also eased lower to 43pc.

From Albury, NSW, 14 Angus PTIC heifers topped the category at $3350/head. The heifers were joined to Angus bulls and averaged 573kg at 25-months-old.

PTIC cows bucked the trend to average $2831 – up $66 recovering the losses from last week plus some. The reduced offering of 1539 also experienced a lower clearance rate of 52pc – down from 81pc in the previous week, reinforcing the selective nature of current buying activity.

From Clermont, Queensland, a line of 60 Droughtmaster PTIC cows 5-7 years averaging 588kg and joined to Droughtmaster bulls, returned $2810.

From Currabubula, NSW, 15 Angus and Angus cross NSM cows aged 2-5 years and averaging 502kg topped the category at $4080/head. The 15 calves at foot were sired by Limousin and Angus bulls.

Prices as at 2pm, Friday 10 June.

Source: AuctionsPlus