Part of an offering of 353 Angus PTIC heifers 14-18 months averaging 365kg, mated to Fullblood Wagyu bulls, from east of Augathella, Queensland that made 361-364c/kg, or $1320-$1330 a head on Thursday. Click on image for a larger view

WITH a highly irregular trading week impacted by Monday and Friday public holidays, AuctionsPlus cattle transactions reflected a mixed market performance disrupting typical selling patterns and buyer activity.

Both the weekly Eastern States Sale (3495 head) and Weaner & Yearling Sale (7058 head) were held a day early, on Thursday. Numbers dropped by 7781 head on the previous online sale held a fortnight earlier (no Easter week sale was held).

Price trends in young cattle were mixed, but generally moderate in strength in c/kg terms. Breeding females were more volatile. Clearance edged higher to 77pc.

The steer market felt softer results at the heavier end of the weight ranges. Feeder steers +400kg dropped by 7c to average 395c/kg (-$61), while the 330–400kg category edged 2c higher on the previous sale to average 413c. These movements suggest slightly weaker demand for heavier stock this week, potentially due to the disrupted schedule reducing buyer presence.

Lighter steers drifted higher and lower, with 280–330kg lines lifting 10c to average 436c, and the 200–280kg range losing 2c to average 440c, despite a strong 81pc clearance.

Limited supply saw steers weight range clearances from 100pc (353 heavy steers +400kg offered) to 81pc.

Highlights included 80 Angus steers 8-10 months averaging 326kg from Cassilis, NSW returned 454c/kg or $1480/head, and will travel to a buyer near Griffith, NSW.

Heifers showed a broader spread of results. The standout category was a small offering of 240 400kg+ heifers, which surged 19c/kg to average 385c, driven by strong buyer demand and a full clearance.

Heifers 200–280kg lost 1c to average 364c, clearing 92pc of an offering of 1000 head.

From Mangoplah, NSW 22 Angus heifers 13-14 months averaging 480kg returned 373c/kg or $1790/head, and will travel to a buyer near Kergunyah South, VIC.

Breeding females

Breeding females showed mixed results. NSM cows and calves rose sharply by $156 to average $2022, and NSM heifers and calves performed even stronger, up $264 to $2443—both pointing to strong confidence in future breeding potential.

At the other end of the scale among breeding females, an offering of 500 station-mated cows and calves lost $251 on average, to average $1874, despite a 95pc clearance.  Also losing ground were PTIC heifers, back $178 to average $1528.

Among larger lines offered last week, 353 Angus PTIC heifers 14-18 months averaging 365kg, mated to Fullblood Wagyu bulls, from east of Augathella, Queensland made 361-364c/kg, or $1320-$1330 a head.

Further north, 208 Santa PTIC cows 2-4 years averaging close to 400kg from Julia Creek made $1340 and $1360 a head.

In NSW, 191 PTIC cows 3-6 years from Brewarrina offered in three lots (Hereford, Angus and Charbray composites) ranging from lot averages of 424kg to 495kg made from $1330 or 292c/kg (Charbrays) to $1550 or 313c/kg for the Hereford run of 74 cows. From Cootamundra, NSW 80 Angus cows 30-36 months averaging 545kg returned $2160/head and will travel to a buyer near Glen Innes, NSW.

Looking ahead, a return to regular sale scheduling may see more consistent competition and could stabilise prices across the board.

Source: AuctionsPlus