Part of a line of 600 weaned Santa steers from Forest Park, Blackall, Qld that sold from $940 to $1015 this morning.

CATTLE numbers slipped again this week on AuctionsPlus, however patchy rain over the eastern states brought with it a higher clearance rate of 61 percent.

Total numbers listed this week reached 4823 head, down 1134 on the week prior. Most young steer and heifer prices trended upwards, after a sustained period of declines. Cow and calf numbers remained strong, making up 26 percent of the listings.

First-calvers this week averaged $1768 and sold to a top of $2160 for a line of 24-month-old Simmental cross cows averaging 545kg with Angus calves at foot from Orange, NSW. These cows were sold re-joined to Angus bulls.

Proven breeders averaged $1585 and sold to a top price of $2010 for a line of Angus and Angus cross cows, 514kg at 36-38 months, with Angus calves at foot from Dubbo, NSW. Mixed aged breeders averaged $1500.

Joined heifers averaged $1266 this week and sold to $1330 for a line of Lawsons blood Angus heifers from Boorowa, NSW, rising two years and averaging 484kg, and PTIC to Angus bulls.

Six mobs of weaned Santa steers from Forest Park, Blackall, Qld totalling a little over 600 head, all EU-eligible, sold from $940 for 6-10,month olds 244kg, to $1015 for 9-12 month olds, 292kg

In a breakdown of young cattle sold, by weight range:

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 263c to 402c/kg to average 346c (up 7c); while heifers sold for 310c (down 47c)
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 320-359c to average 342c (up 18c) ; while heifers sold from 297-319c to average 306c (up 21c)
• Steers 300-350kg sold for 296c (down 1c); while heifers sold from 263-345c to average 295c (up 13c)
• Heifers 350kg + sold from 250-378c to average 323c (up 57c).

Steer Highlights

• Angus and Angus x Brahman steers 4-6 months 153kg from CHARLEVILLE, QLD sold for 402c/$615
• Santa steers 5-6 months 203kg from BLACKALL, QLD sold for 400c/$810
• Santa steers 9-12 months 292kg from BLACKALL, QLD sold for 347c/$1015
• Santa steers 5-10 months 154kg from FORBES, NSW sold for 379c/$585
• Angus steers 13-14 months 296kg from BUNDARRA, NSW sold for 359c/$1065
• Angus steers 13-14 months 297kg from COWRA, NSW sold for 353c/$1050
• Angus steers 12-13 months 304kg from CREIGHTONS CREEK, VIC sold for 296c/$900
• Friesian steers 5-6 months 183kg from GAZETTE, VIC sold for 290c/$530
• Angus steers 12-13 months 304kg from CREIGHTONS CREEK, VIC sold for 296c/$900

Heifer Highlights

• Angus heifers 12-14 months 352kg from BUNDARRA, NSW sold for 378c/$1330
• Angus heifers 13-14 months 361kg from COOMA, NSW sold for 357c/$1290
• Angus heifers 22-24 months 484kg from BOOROWA, NSW sold for 275c/$1330

Among specialised lines, a mob of 130 mixed sex F2 Wagyu x Angus feeders (pictured) from Wundowie, in WA’s midlands, 16-19 months 386kg made $2150/head during a Ruralco Premium Wagyu sale this afternoon. Other Wagyu lines offered in the normal weekly sales mostly F1 and F2 cows, received no bids.

• AuctionsPlus is investigating a weekly feature weaner sale, looking to replicate the success and engagement of lamb sales with weaners. Feedback from stakeholders is wanted about the idea. Click this link to take a short survey.

Source: www.auctionsplus.com.au