Among larger lines offered this week were these 314 EU-eligible weaned Santa steers 5-9 months averaging 221kg from Rolleston, Central Queensland that made $1000/head or 456c/kg

ONLINE listings on AuctionsPlus lifted four percent to 10,837 head last week. The offering was met with mixed competition as clearance fell to 57pc reflecting a more cautious stance among purchasers.

Most steer and heifer weight categories declined in value in c/kg terms, while breeding female results were mixed.

Among steer categories with more significant offerings, steers 200-280kg fell 21c/kg last week to average 426c/kg, clearing 88pc of an offering of 1394 steers. Prices ranged from 216-467c.

Steers 280-330kg lost 14c to average 376c, for an offering of 989 steers, while 330-400kg steers cleared 64pc of an offering of 1863, with p[rices slipping 16c to average 369c.

The only steer category out of the red last week was heavy +400kg examples, edging 3c higher to average 366c, but clearing only 56pc. A small offering of light steers less than 200kg saw prices drop 75c/kg, to average 435c, clearing 90pc.

From Winton QLD, 104 Angus x Droughtmaster x Santa steers 8-14 months averaging 274kg returned 400c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Wandoan, QLD.

From Hungerford, QLD 103 Santa steers 10-12 months averaging 306kg returned 391c and will travel to a buyer near Miles, QLD.

Among larger lines were 314 EU-eligible weaned Santa steers 5-9 months averaging 221kg from Rolleston, Central Queensland that made $1000/head or 456c/kg.

Further south, 123 unweaned Angus steers and heifers 254kg at 8-9 months from Tingha on the NSW Northwest slopes made 467c ($1190) for the steer portion, and 364c ($910) for the heifers.

Some very soft clearance rates were seen in the heifer weight categories. This has continued the trend of the perceived lack of confidence in the upcoming season, where any cattle that require a longer term commitment (ie heifers), are still struggling to meet all vendor expectations.

On the heifer front, the 200-280kg category registered a smaller offering of 653 head, averaging 310c/kg, similar to last week. Clearance was 67pc. Prices ranged from 266 to 364c.

Heavier heifers 330-400kg cleared only 49pc of an offering of 1059, with prices 4c lower to average 324c. Heifers +400kg experienced a more pronounced reduction in interest, with the offering limited to 317 head. Average price dropped by 5c/kg to 326c, and clearance was 78pc.

Breeding females

Results were mixed for breeding females, with PTIC cows averaging $67/head higher at $1543, while NSM cows & calves lost $75/pair to average $1900 and station-mated cows & calves also lost $75 to average $2281.

From Guyra, NSW 48 Angus cows six years averaging 619kg returned $2820 and will travel to a buyer in Myall Creek, NSW.

Source: AuctionsPlus