A long way from home: A line of 180 Angus steers 13-16 months averaging 251kg from Ilfracombe central western QLD, returned 623c/kg today. A further 150 heavier brothers 344kg at 15-18 months made 552c, while 360 heifer sisters 13-16 months sold from 545c/kg for a run of 186 averaging 218kg, to 484c for a line averaging 291kg. The cattle were Victorian-bred, but were agisted at Mernoo near Ilfracombe since May due to the southern drought.

PRICES surged across all young cattle categories in c/kg terms this week, as scattered storm rain across parts of Eastern Australia tightened supply.

Only 8426 head were listed across cattle sales this week, down 32pc on the week before.

The squeeze in numbers tightened supply and intensified buyer competition, with the five young steer categories clearing 97pc of the offering and heifers, 89pc. All eight steer and heifer weight range categories showed improvement in c/kg price, mostly in  double-digits.

Overall sales clearance (including breeding females) reached 85pc, down 1pc on last week.

Among young cattle, the biggest offering was for steers 200–280kg which saw 1195 head yarded, clearing 91pc, with prices up 45c/kg to average 534c.

Steers 280-330kg improved 22c to average 510c, clearing 96pc of the offering of 1081.

Heavy feeder steers +400kg edged another 4c higher to average 493c, clearing the entire offering of 310 head.

From Creightons Creek, VIC, 36 Angus steers 7-9 months averaging 241kg returned 627c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Maffra, VIC.

A line of 180 Angus steers 13-16 months averaging 251kg from Ilfracombe central western QLD, returned 623c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Orange, NSW. A further 150 heavier brothers 344kg at 15-18 months made 552c, while 360 heifer sisters 13-16 months sold from 545c/kg for a run of 186 averaging 218kg, to 484c for a line averaging 291kg. The cattle were Victorian-bred, but were agisted at Mernoo near Ilfracombe since May due to the southern drought.

Among other larger steer lines sold this week, 117 Santa x composite weaned steers 288kg at 5-10 months from Quilpie, western Qld made 534c/kg, while 160 Angus steers 11-13 months averaging 315kg from Cockatoo in southern Qld made 540c/kg.

In the heifer offerings, some big price jumps were seen, with heifers 280–330kg lifting 22c to average 452c, clearing 92pc of the offering of 1029 head. Heifers 330-400kg jumped 43c/kg to average 470c, clearing 85pc of the offering of 890, while heavier lines of heifers +400kg also strengthened, lifting 14c to average 461c, clearing 82pc of the small offering of 191 head.

In terms of listing regions, QLD and NSW both offered around 3100 each, with 1900 head offered from Western Queensland. The volume listing areas from NSW included an even split of around 900 head from both Central Western NSW and N.W. Slopes and Plains.

Breeding females

With breeding female listings tightening, competition lifted across the board and prices responded accordingly. Buyer activity remained strong, clearances high, and indicators trending upward, setting a positive tone as the market heads into November.

In the breakdown, prices broadly improved across lighter and breeding categories. NSM heifers & calves lifted $486 to average $3240/pair, while NSM cows & calves rose $200 to average $2705.

PTIC heifers lifted $318 on the previous week to average $2086.

From Tarrone, SA 60 Angus station mated heifers 20-22 month averaging 426kg returned $2700 and will travel to a buyer near Tarrayoukyan, VIC.

Source: AuctionsPlus