Part of a line of 160 Angus heifers 16-18 months averaging 436kg from Oberon, NSW that returned 389c/kg or $1695/head on Friday, going to a buyer near Two Wells, SA.

CATTLE listings on AuctionsPlus fell 24 percent on Friday due to last week’s rain impact, with only 10,200 head offered.

Lower supply saw heifer prices mostly trend higher in c/kg terms, while steer results were mixed. Solid improvements was seen in most breeding cattle categories. Clearance rate at 80pc was down 4pc on the previous week.

In terms of market share, steers represented 45pc of the total offering, breeding females 34pc and heifers 20pc.

In the steer market, steers 280-330kg were the best performers, with an offering of 1450 clearing 90pc, and lifting 12c in value to average 436c/kg. Lighter steers 200-280kg cleared 92pc of an offering of 1690, unchanged in price on the previous week to average 445c.

Steers 330-400kg produced an offering of 880, clearing 87pc with prices easing 8c to average 409c, while feeder weights +400kg saw an offering of only 155 head, clearing 95pc to average 396c, down 6c.

A line of 20 Shorthorn/Shorthorn cross steers 14-17 months averaging 431kg from Texas, NSW returned 378c/kg.

Among larger steer lines offered this week, 248 Santa steers 12-24 months from Eidsvold in Central Queensland, offered in three lots from backgrounders averaging 308kg top heavier steers averaging 384kg, sold from 399c/kg at the heavier end to 438c at the lighter end.

Sample of the heavier end of a run of 248 Santa steers 12-24 months from Eidsvold in Central Queensland, offered in three lots from backgrounders averaging 308kg top heavier steers averaging 384kg, that sold on Friday from 399c/kg at the heavier end to 438c at the lighter end.    

With an 84pc clearance rate, heifers were a popular option for buyers who may be looking to restock after the recent widespread rainfall. Multiple weight categories recording significant gains.

Heifers 200-280kg produced an offering of 800 head, clearing 92pc, with prices trending down 7c to average 351c. Weights from 280-330kg  saw a 72pc clearance of 850 head, with prices up 19c to average 364c. Heifers +400kg rose by 16c to average 370c.

Breeding stock continued to perform well, with renewed interest in quality females fuelled by opportunistic and widespread rainfall across key cattle regions.

Prices for PTIC cows rose by $81 to average $1384, while PTIC heifers recorded a strong $119 lift to average $1938.

NSM heifers and calves saw the biggest jump of the week, climbing $368 to an average of $2615, highlighting confidence in herd rebuilding efforts. From Oberon, NSW 160 Angus heifers 16-18 months averaging 436kg returned 389c/kg or $1695/head,  and will travel to a buyer near Two Wells, SA.

Breeding female highlights included 52 Angus cows two years averaging 500kg from Boorowa, NSW which made $2660 and will travel to a buyer near Condobolin, NSW.

Listing regions remained similar to last week. The greatest changes was the decrease of 1249 head in NSW to list a total of 7006. Queensland’s listings were down by 1153 which could be expected due to significant rain falling across much of the state.

Purchasing activity softened in regular volume buying states Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. However, activity in Tasmania has picked up with 344 head purchased.

Source: AuctionsPlus