This line of 96 Ultrablack x Angus backgrounder steers, 9-10 months averaging 305kg, from Rathdowney in southern Queensland made 462c/kg or $1410 a head this week

PTIC heifers rose sharply in AuctionsPlus online trading this week, which saw a smaller 10,735 head offering put before buyers – down 22 percent on the week before.

The catalogue produced an 85 percent clearance and stable to slightly higher prices in most categories. PTIC heifers jumped by an average $112 a head, responding to widespread rain in the south. Southern QLD was the top purchasing region for the week, securing 1703 head followed by the Northwest Slopes & Plains NSW, sourcing 1015 head.

Cow & calf units saw a 400 head increase in listings to reach 749 offered with a slight downturn in clearance of 81pc. Prices ranged from $1900 to $3475 averaging $2528, up $89 on the previous week. Hopkins River Pastoral Co from Tatong, VIC sold the top priced cows & calves, with a lie of 580kg Angus cows withy 3-4-month-old calves at foot by Wattletop bulls.

PTIC cows also trended dearer, averaging $1953 up $97 on the week before. A decreased offering of 1180 PTIC cows saw prices range from $1540 to $2350. From Werneth, VIC, T & P Missen Family Trust sold the top priced line of four-year-old Angus cows 536kg, joined to Larrigan Angus bulls with calving due to commence mid-September.

PTIC heifers were again in high demand, achieving a 78pc clearance. The decrease in listing numbers produced a $112 climb in the market with prices ranging from $1700 to $2490. A line of 20-month-old PTIC heifers averaging 500kg returned Top price, AI’d to Landfall Keystone bulls.

Young cattle

Demand for heifers fell this week achieving an 88pc clearance for the 3944 head offered. Light heifers averaging less than 200kg averaged 502c, selling from 426c to 552c. Top price was returned by a line of seven-month-old Angus weaned heifers averaging 199kg, offered by Timor Cattle Co at Merriwa, NSW.

Heifers averaging 200-280kg sold from 330c to 529c, averaging 462c, up 14c on last week. Lithgow Partnership at Chinchilla, QLD offered the top priced line of 6-9-month-old composite heifers, averaging 212kg.

Heifers 280-330kg sold from 363c to 503c, averaging 448c, up 16c. A run of nine-month-old Droughtmaster heifers averaging 294kg returned top price for Powermac Droughtmasters from Richmond, QLD.

Feeder heifers averaging 330-400kg sold from 361c to 504c this week, averaging 423c, steady on last week. From Gunnedah, NSW, a line of 14-16-month-old Angus NSM future breeders from B & S Crane topped the category, averaging in at 371kg.

Heavy heifers over 400kg averaged 415c, ranging from 401c to 417c. Top lot from Warialda, NSW, was a line of 11-month-old Angus weaned heifers from Euroa, VIC. Also, within the heavy heifers category was a line of 12-14 month old future breeder Poll Herefords by PD & AL Durkin.

Steers saw an 85pc clearance overall, selling 2769 head. Light steers averaging less than 200kg sold from 473c to 548c, averaging 538c, back 20c on last week. Top price went to a line of 6-8-month-old Hereford x Santa weaned steers averaging 181kg, offered by C & L Shannon from Durong, QLD.

Steers 200-280kg sold from 400c to 561c, rising 3c to average 493c. From Meandarra, QLD, GR & MP Cover offered the top priced lot with a line of 5-10-month-old Angus averaging 231kg.

Steers 280-330kg sold from 373c to 493c this week, averaging 445c down 9c on last week. A line of 8-9-month-old weaned steers averaging 285kg returned top price, offered by Wendy Noble from Singleton, NSW.

Feeder steers 330-400kg sold between 294c and 456c, averaging 410c, steady on last week. From Glen Innes, NSW, Yarraford Trust offered a line of 12-13-month-old Angus steers averaging 352kg which returned top price.

Heavy steers averaging over 400kg sold from 418c to 429c, averaging 416c, easing 36c. From Bellata, NSW, Onnoonba Partnership offered the top priced lot with 12-13-month-old steers averaging 420kg. These Angus steers will travel north to Queensland.

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

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 473-548c/kg to average 538c, while heifers sold from 426-552c to average 502c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 400-561c to average 493c, while heifers sold from 330-529c to average 462c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 373-493c to average 445c, while heifers sold from 363-503c to average 448c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 394-456c to average 410c, while heifers sold from 361-504c to average 423c

+400kg: Steers sold from 418-429c to average 416c/kg, while heifers sold from 401-417c to average 415c

The Tasmanian cattle market fell this week achieving a 50pc clearance rate among the 164 head offered. Weaned steers sold from $920 to $1770, averaging $1371 up $71. From Sheffield, Frankcombe Livestock offered a line of 15-16-month-old Simangus steers which topped the category, averaging 512kg.

Heifers sold from $1360 to $1420, averaging $1390. Top price went to a line of 10-12-month-old Angus heifer weaners averaging 392kg offered by CM Duff from Sheffield.

Looking to the west this week 100pc clearance was achieved across the 85 head offered. Weaned heifers sold from 356c to 357c, averaging 356.5c live.

From Waroona, WA a line of Limousin x Angus/Blonde d’Aquitaine heifers, 8-12 months averaging 329kg returned top price. Weaned steers sold for 400c, while weaned mixed sexes sold for 382c. Topping the sale was a line of mixed age and breed slaughter heifers and cows, averaging 318kg dressed sold for $1571/hd or 495c carcase weight.

Source: AuctionsPlus