From Tara in southern Queensland, this line of 73 PTIC mixed age cows, mostly Santa and Brafordy types, 3-13 years averaging 576kg, made 437.7c/kg or $2520.

AFTER a mixed performance last week, AuctionsPlus young steer markets roared back to form this week, with the four lightest categories regaining some lost ground.

With a 20 percent increase in commercial offerings this week to 16,631 head, price movements through most categories were largely supply-influenced, with a sharp increase in listings through the lighter heifer lines impacting final averages for the week.

With the largest weekly offering in months, at 1638 head, the 400kg+ steer category declined 3c/kg on last week, to average 530c/kg, or $2371/head – with an above-average 86pc clearance for the week. This week’s 32pc increase in supply of heavy steers continued the trend of recent weeks, with a steady amount of well-finished grassfed yearling steers hitting the market.

For the lightest steer categories, clearance rates ranged from 99pc for less than 200kg lines, to 90pc for the 1122 head of 330-400kg steers offered. With 1371 head listed for the week, 280-330kg steers jumped 35c/kg ($90), to average 626c ($1900) for the week – erasing almost all last week’s $94 fall. The 200-280kg steers averaged 13c/kg ($74) higher for the week, at 672c.

All five young heifer categories registered a sharp rise in offerings this week, with prices mostly lower. A 51pc jump in the supply of 200-280kg heifers contributed to an 11c ($66) decline for the week, to average 632c ($1526) – albeit with a healthy 95pc clearance rate. The 280-330kg heifer offering also increased by 50pc, with 1444 head offered – selling to an 87pc clearance rate and 28c/kg ($106) cheaper, at 599c.

Going against the trend of the heifer lines was the 330-400kg category, which jumped 24c ($82) on last week, to average 579c ($2076) – with a 94pc clearance for the 1865 head offered.

Breeding cattle

It was another varied week through the breeding lines, with the 1224 PTIC heifers slipping back $191, to average $2595/head after last week’s $352 gain. Following a higher clearance rate last week, PTIC heifers slipped back to 55pc, with reports indicating producers this week went back to targeting the heavier unjoined lines.

There was a limited offering through most breeding categories this week, with 527 PTIC cows selling to a 73pc clearance rate and averaging $244 higher on last week, at $2739.

Larger runs of cattle were in limited supply in Friday’s eastern states sale. From Tara in southern Queensland, a line of 73 PTIC mixed age cows, mostly Santa and Brafordy types, 3-13 years averaging 576kg, made 437.7c/kg or $2520.

A run of 75 PTIC Angus PTIC heifers 21-24 months averaging 497kg from Walgett in northern NSW, mostly score 3s, mated to Wagyu bulls, made 593.3c/kg, or $2950.

This run of 75 PTIC Angus PTIC heifers 21-24 months averaging 497kg from Walgett in northern NSW, mostly score 3s, mated to Wagyu bulls, made 593.3c/kg or $2950 on Friday.

Source: AuctionsPlus