Markets

Prices generally higher in online sales, but supply remains impacted by rain

Beef Central, 23/10/2022

Listings for AuctionsPlus weekly commercial cattle sales were resilient this week against the backdrop of logistical disruptions due to flooding and road closures. Total listings increased 12 percent on last week, with 15,187 head offered.

Increased listings of heifers and breeding stock were the key contributors to the higher supply, while steers numbers fell 25pc from last week – possibly suggesting that producers have grown tired of holding on to ready-to-sell females.

Part of a listing of 1600 composite PTIC heifers offered by AJM Pastoral near Blackall, Western Queensland. The heifers were offered in 19 B-double lots, with 16 out of 19 lots selling to an average $2144/head.

Prices were generally higher this week, while results were mixed across some categories.

Average value over reserve experienced a 25pc jump on last week, to a record high $254/head, while clearance edged higher to 79pc.

PTIC heifers were the highlight of the sale, with the 2762 head achieving both one of the highest weekly listings and highest clearance rates.

Across the steer weight ranges, lower listings supported higher prices for four-out-of-five categories. Listings of light steers less than 200kg were back 7pc at 250 head, while average prices fell 20c/kg or $183/head.

Steers 200-280kg jumped 76c or $235 to average 787c,kg across the 919 head offered, while clearance reached 88pc. From Rolleston, Central Queensland, four even lines totalling 329 Santa steers 5-10 months averaging 258kg returned $2020/head, or 784c/kg.

The 1426 head listing of 280-330kg steers was back 22pc on last week, which helped prices rise 27c/kg to average 702c – scoring a 100pc clearance. From Orange, Central Western NSW, 12 Angus steers 12 months averaging 308kg returned $2250/head – $250 over the reserve.

It was a similar story for 330-400kg steers, with the 1157 head listing back 33pc from last week, with average prices hitting 627c/kg, up 24c, for a 73pc clearance. From Furner, Southeast SA, 85 Angus steers 13-15 months averaging 367kg returned $2370, or 645c/kg.

Heavy steers +400kg registered 849 head this week, as clearance for the category reached 68pc and prices increased $19, to average $2325, or 528c/kg. From Mortlake, Southwest Victoria, 73 Friesian steers 18-19 months averaging 476kg returned $1880/head, or 395c/kg.

In contrast to the steers, this week heifer listings increased 23pc, which put downward pressure on prices for three-out-of-five categories. Light heifers less than 200kg averaged 600c/kg across the 321 head offered, back 366c/kg on last week, reaching a 99pc clearance.

Heifers 200-280kg were the only exception to increasing listings, with numbers offered down 27pc to 961 head. Prices averaged 734c/kg, up 130c on last week. From Rolleston, Central Queensland, 40 Santa heifers 5-10 months averaging 236kg returned $2000/head – $590 over the reserve.

Listings of 280-330kg heifers increased to 1116 head, while prices averaged $1924 or 621c/kg – down 28c from last week, for an 81pc clearance. From Goornong, Northern Victoria, 15 Murray Grey heifers 10-11 months averaging 305kg returned $1810/head, or 593c/kg.

The 330-400kg category was a similar story, with the increased listing of 1848 head averaging $2264 or 616c – down 25c from last week for an 80pc clearance. From Holbrook, NSW Riverina, 83 Angus heifers 12-13 months averaging 342kg returned $2360, $210 over the reserve.

Selective buying was prevalent in the 400kg+ heifer category. In contrast to last week, listings doubled to 933 head, while clearance rate halved to 45pc. The result was an average price of $2525 – up $143 on last week.

From Coonabarabran, NSW Northwest Slopes and Plains, 14 Shorthorn heifers 11-13 months averaging 436kg returned the top price for the category of $3080/head – $880 over the reserve.

Breeding cattle

Listings of breeding stock increased 70pc this week, heavily influenced by large lines of northern cattle out of Queensland. PTIC heifers were the highlight of this week’s commercial cattle sale with several features.

A significant listing of 1600 composite PTIC heifers were offered by AJM Pastoral near Blackall, Western Queensland. The heifers were offered in 19 B-double lots, with 16 out of 19 lots selling to an average $2144/head.

Overall, a huge listing of 2762 PTIC heifers this week averaged $2387/head, for a 91pc clearance. From Wagga Wagga NSW, two even lines totalling 41 Angus PTIC heifers 19-23 months averaging 441kg returned $2900/head – $200 over the reserve.

Listings of PTIC cows were steady at 614 head and sold for an average $2759/head – up $162 on last week for a 48pc clearance. From Woodside, Gippsland Victoria, 35 Angus PTIC cows 3-4 years averaging 589kg returned $3200.

Listings of NSM cows and calves increased significantly, with 703 head offered averaging $3795/head – up $35 on last week and reaching an 83pc clearance. From Dubbo, Central Western NSW, 19 Angus NSM cows with Angus calves at foot returned $4210. The cows were three years old and averaged 554kg.

Sexed semen PTIC heifers attract demand

A rare listing of PTIC heifers, artificially inseminated with female sexed-semen were offered by JAD Agriculture near Yeoval, Central Western NSW. Follow the link for further analysis of the premium achieved by the PTIC heifers AI’d with sexed female semen. They delivered a 5pc premium over similar unsexed PTIC heifers in the same sale.

Competition from five bidders pushed prices for the sexed-semen PTIC heifers to $3700/head. Targeted marketing of foetal sexed PTIC breeders provides a unique opportunity for buyers looking to fast track breeding numbers. The PTIC heifers sold on Friday are expected to calve down 90pc+ female progeny,

Offered by vendors JAD Agriculture, the offering of 140 Angus and Ultrablack/Angus heifers consisted of six lots, with 77 head PTIC to Speckle Park bulls, while 63 head were AI to sexed female semen from JAD Napoleon N31.

Prices as at 2pm, Friday 21 October.

 

 

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