This line of 30 Angus and Angus cross steers 10-11 months averaging 341kg from Barraba NSW made 458c/kg this week

PRICES for preg-tested in-calf cows and heifers lifted in a larger 13,819 head offering online this week, up by 3000 head on the previous week.

A highlight was a $76 jump in average prices for PTIC heifers, while PTIC cows rose by an average $50.

Southern QLD was both the top listing and purchasing region for the week, offering 1899 head and securing 2085 head. The Northwest Slopes & Plains of NSW followed, obtaining 1771 head for the region.

Cow & calf units saw an 85pc clearance rate among the 548 units listed. Prices ranged from $1850 to $3380 and averaged $2450, easing $18 on last week. John Meads at Braidwood, NSW offered the top priced lot with mixed-age Angus and Angus cross NSM cows and calves. The 664kg cows had 2-10 week old calves at foot.

PTIC cows sold from $1400 to a top of $2600 for a line of mixed-age Angus cows averaging 674kg offered by M & H Pattison, Barratta, NSW, PTIC to Angus bulls, which will travel to Goulburn, NSW.

PTIC heifers were in high demand this week producing an 80pc clearance. Prices rose $76 to average $1882, selling from $1110 to $2400. A line of Angus rising 3-year-old PTIC heifers averaging 410kg returned the top price, PTIC to registered Angus bulls, which will travel north to Tyringham, NSW.

Young cattle

Demand for heifers strengthened again this week to achieve a 93pc clearance for the 4470 head offered. Light heifers averaging less than 200kg sold to a top of 453c for a line of 6-9-month-old Angus and Angus cross weaned heifers averaging 159kg, offered by Weber & Scanlan, Brigooda, QLD.

Heifers 200-280kg sold from 370c to 549c this week, averaging 448c, losing 29c on last week. Shore Pastoral at Tumut, NSW offered the top line of 10-11-month-old Angus heifers averaging 212kg.

Heifers 280-330kg sold from 371c to 540c, averaging 432c, up 7c. A line of 19-20-month-old Brahman heifers averaging 312kg returned the top price for Samari Brahmans, Roma, QLD. Another highlight was a line of 10-11-month-old Angus heifers from Tharwa, ACT making 442c.

Feeder heifers averaging 330-400kg sold from 361c to 535c this week, averaging 424c, rising 35c on last week. From Mudgee, NSW Rosskin Angus sold a line of 9-12-month-old Angus NSM future breeders to top the category, averaging 384kg.

Heavy heifers more than 400kg made 367c for a line of 18-20-month-old Angus and Angus crosses offered by R & C Walker from Churchill, VIC, averaging 422kg, which will head to Bena, VIC.

Steers saw a 94pc clearance rate overall this week, selling just shy of 5000 head. Light steers averaging less than 200kg sold from 518c to 598c, averaging 543c, back 20c on last week. Top price went to a line of 5-7-month-old Angus weaned steers averaging 175kg, offered by Bulwarra, from Glencoe, NSW.

Steers 200-280kg sold from 397c to 559c, rising 20c to average 490c. From Narrabri, NSW, Castletop Pastoral Co offered the top priced lot with a line of 10-12-month-old Angus averaging 232kg.

Steers 280-330kg sold from 314c to 502c, averaging 454c which rose 20c on last week. A line of 10-11-month-old backgrounder Angus steers averaging 292kg returned the top price, offered by Locksley Pastoral Co from Purlewaugh, NSW.

Feeder steers 330-400kg sold between 296c and 458c, averaging 413c, up 17c. From Barraba, NSW RE & GE Bomford offered a line of 10-11-month-old Angus and Angus cross steers averaging 341kg which returned the top price. Another highlight was a line of 8-10-month-old Angus steers averaging 378kg from Geranium, SA which made 439c.

Heavy steers more than 400kg sold from 367c to 391c, averaging 379c, correcting 29c. From Gloucester, NSW, MG & WJ Fraser offered the top priced lot with 16-21-month-old steers averaging 419kg. These Angus and Angus cross steers will travel west to Gunnedah, NSW.

The Tasmanian cattle market remained strong this week achieving a 100pc clearance among the 182 head offered. Weaned steers sold from $1210 to $1490, averaging $1300. From Whitemore, K & A McLauchlan offered a line of 10-12-month-old Poll Hereford steers which topped the category, averaging 372kg. Yearling heifers sold from $1370 to $1730, averaging $1513. Top price went to a line of Speckle Park x Angus NSM future breeders averaging 401kg. These 12-14-month-old heifers were offered by PD & JJ McMahon from Westbury.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold this week, by weightrange:

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 518-598c/kg to average 543c, while heifers sold for 453c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 397-559c to average 486c, while heifers sold from 370-549c to average 448c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 314-502c to average 454c, while heifers sold from 371c to 540c to average 432c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 296-458c to average 414c, while heifers sold from 361-535c to average 424c

400kg+: Steers sold from 351-391c to average 368c, while heifers sold from 338-431c to average 378c.

Source: AuctionsPlus