STEER prices across all weight ranges fell on AuctionsPlus this week, while heifer trends were mixed.

Catalogue numbers fell by 400 head to 9100 head offered, with lower clearance rates for both the Eastern States and Weaner & Yearling sales, reflecting the ongoing challenges facing producers across large parts of the country.

Interaction remained strong, however, with an average of 306 bidders logging in to both sales.

Cows with calves at foot averaged $1210 this week, up $85 on last week, with prices ranging from $690 to $1860. The average price was boosted by three quality lines of Charolais cows and calves from Mundulla, SA. A line of 6-9 year old Charolais cows, with 4-6 month old Angus-sired calves at foot found the top price, finding a buyer in Burra, SA.

Another highlight came out of Scone, NSW, where a line of 43 Angus cows with 44 young calves at foot sold for $1650 to a buyer in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Steers 200-280kg averaged 302c, down 20c on last week, with prices ranging from 212-332c. Top price went to 112 Angus weaned steers 8-12 months old, bred from Hazeldean Angus bulls, from Hillston, NSW which found a buyer across the border in Casterton, VIC.

Another highlight saw a line of Angus steers 6-8 months old averaging 213kgs from Hannaford, QLD sell for 326c to a buyer in Moonie, QLD.

Steers 280-330kg averaged 310c, and ranged from 205c to 330c. Top price went to a line of Kennys Creek & Rennylea blood Angus backgrounders 11-12 months averaging 349kg from Gunning, NSW. The steers are heading to Woomargama, NSW. A line of 56 feeder steers 11-12 months averaging 385kg from Cooma, NSW sold for 317c to a buyer near to Koo Wee, VIC.

Heifers 200-280kg averaged 248c this week, and ranged from 146-297c. Top price went to a line of Angus x Hereford heifers 10-12 months averaging 241kg from Walwa, VIC, finding a buyer in Koo Wee, VIC. Elsewhere, 63 Angus heifers 6-10 months averaging 279kg, from Hannaford, QLD made 281c, heading to a buyer at Moree, NSW.

Heifers 280-330kg averaged 265c this week, and ranged from 241-314c. Top price was achieved by a line of Hazeldean blood Angus heifers 292kg from Nowendoc, NSW, finding a buyer in Holbrook, NSW. A line of 80 Angus heifers 294kg from Walcha, NSW will be making the journey north to Goondiwindi, QLD, having made 259c.

The Tasmanian cattle sale continues its strong run with all three lots offered selling. Interaction was also high with 24 bidders logging in and 856 catalogue views. The sales highlight was 15 Poll Shorthorn yearling steers from Latrobe selling for $1050 or 361c/kg live to a buyer in Leith, Tasmania.

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

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 214-266c to average 240c, while heifers sold for 169c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 212-332c to average 302c, while heifers sold from 146-323c to average 260c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 205-360c to average 310c, while heifers sold from 241-328c to average 271c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 310-353c to average 340c, while heifers sold from 241-310c to average 286c

Steer Highlights

6 to 8 month old, 213kg, Angus steers from HANNAFORD, QLD sold for 327c/$695

6 to 10 month old, 261kg, Angus steers from HANNAFORD, QLD sold for 326c/$850

8 to 12 month old, 272kg, Angus steers from HILLSTON, NSW sold for 333c/$905

11 to 12 month old, 348kg, Angus steers from GUNNING, NSW sold for 330c/$1,150

14 to 18 month old, 384kg, Angus steers from HILLSTON, NSW sold for 318c/$1,220

11 to 12 month old, 392kg, Poll Hereford steers from AVENEL, VIC sold for 322c/$1,260

10 to 17 month old, 291kg, Poll Shorthorn steers from LATROBE, TAS sold for 361c/$1,050

5 to 8 month old, 250kg, Angus steers from NORTHCLIFFE, WA sold for 298c/$745

9 to 11 month old, 316kg, Angus steers from NORTHCLIFFE, WA sold for 293c/$925

Heifer Highlights

17 to 22 month old, 390kg, Angus heifers from RANGEMORE, QLD sold for 300c/$1,170

6 to 10 month old, 279kg, Angus heifers from HANNAFORD, QLD sold for 282$/c785

10 to 13 month old, 291kg, Angus heifers from NOWENDOC, NSW sold for 314c/$915

12 to 13 month old, 300kg, Angus heifers from COOTAMUNDRA, NSW sold for 294c/$880

11 to 12 month old, 338kg, Angus heifers from BRAIDWOOD, NSW sold for 281c/$950

10 to 12 month old, 240kg, Angus x Hereford heifers from WALWA, VIC sold for 298c/$715

10 to 12 month old, 287kg, Angus x Hereford heifers from WALWA, VIC sold for 284c/$815

12 to 17 month old, 316kg, Poll Shorthorn x Angus heifers from LATROBE, TAS sold for 329c/$1,040

10 to 17 month old, 278kg, Poll Shorthorn heifers from LATROBE, TAS sold for 323c/$900

20 to 30 month old, 543kg, Angus heifers from PEMBERTON, WA sold for 282c/$1530

8 to 10 month old, 310kg, Angus heifers from NORTHCLIFFE, WA sold for 262c/$810

Source: AuctionsPlus