Part of a run of 225 Angus steers 20-22 months averaging 470kg from Walcha, NSW, that returned 413c/kg on Friday, travelling to a buyer near Orange, NSW.

CATTLE numbers fell five percent to 16,702 head on AuctionsPlus last week, with softer demand reducing the clearance to 54 percent.

Most steer categories improved in price, while heifer results were mixed.

Listings mainly came from NSW, with the 8306 head representing an 18pc increase on the previous week and making up 50pc of the total offering. Queensland accounted for the second largest listings, with 4,638 head offered, which was down 9pc on the previous week.

Processor activity was fairly subdued last week, accounting for 5.2pc or 464 head, of the sold offering. Most of those were in steer lines in the 280-330kg range.

The weaner steer-to-heifer price gap continues to widen, with weaner steers seeing a 22pc price premium over their heifer counterparts this week. This is the highest gap recorded on AuctionsPlus since 2016.

Steers registered a strong price rally last week, with prices increasing $25-$345 across four of the categories, with only one category falling in price. Steers +400kg represented the largest of the gains, with the 804 head lifting $345 or 37c/kg to average $1819 or 390c/kg.

The category saw selective purchasing with a 38pc clearance. From Walcha, NSW, 225 Angus steers 20-22 months averaging 470kg returned 413c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Orange, NSW.

Steers 280-330kg lifted 26c/kg this week to average 388c for the 2173 head. Demand was strong for the mid-weight category with a 75pc clearance. From Armidale, 29 Angus steers 12 months averaging 323kg returned 390c/kg.

Heifers

Heifer prices were two up and two down this week, with 330-400kg heifers seeing the largest gains of 33c/kg to average 329c for the tight 607 head on offer. From Lake Mundi, VIC, 126 Angus heifers 14-15 months averaging 357kg returned $1240/head, or 348c/kg.

The most populous heifer category was the 200-280kg weight range with 2080 head on offer, with the category seeing strong demand of 71 clearance. Prices eased slightly on a c/kg basis, averaging 315c. From Walcha, NSW 80 Angus heifers 9-10 months averaging 267kg returned 424c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Walcha, NSW.

Breeding females

Breeding female markets were mixed last week with four out of the seven categories recording rises. The rises were led by SM cows which recorded a $288 weekly increase to average $1821/head for the 996 head. From Lindenow South, VIC 45 Angus heifers two years averaging 505kg returned $2,170/head and will travel to a buyer near Mungindi, QLD.

PTIC heifers saw 1226 on offer this week, with prices falling by $96/head to average $1505. From Tamworth, NSW 11 Angus heifers 24-26 months averaging 546kg returned $2020, or 370c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Binnaway, NSW.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 24 May.