Part of an offering of 350 Angus x composite weaned steers 10-11 months averaging 280-293kg from Cunnamulla, southwest Queensland that sold on Friday from 529c/kg to 543c/kg.
AFTER encouraging rainfall in some cattle areas last week, most steer categories were sharply higher in c/kg value in online trading on Friday.
Breeding cattle categories also showed some solid gains, while young female values generally trended downwards in c/kg terms.
AuctionsPlus produced an offering of 11,833 head on Friday, down another 5pc on last week, while clearing 90pc of the offering. Steers cleared 96.6pc.
Northern NSW again dominated supply, driven by elevated turn-off as dry conditions continue to push cattle off country.
Southern NSW was the top external buyer of Northern NSW stock at 21pc, with VIC, SA and TAS accounting for a further 17pc. Southern states have consistently absorbed above-average volumes over the past four weeks as producers in country in better condition take advantage of the supply.
Light and mediumweight steers led the charge, with a big offering of 2800 steers 200-280kg clearing 95pc of the offering, while lifting 24c in value to average 570c.
An offering of 1500 steers 280-330kg band also performed strongly at 561c/kg LW, gaining 40c, while the 200-280kg band averaged 570c/kg LW across 2,796 head cleared at 95.
Heavy steers 400kg+ averaged 485c/kg, down 65c, although the small offering produced a total clearance.
Among larger lines offered on Friday, Queensland’s Tawarri Pastoral Co offered a big run of 827 Angus weaned steers on AuctionsPlus on Friday (see separate story running today).
The steers, all 6-8 months, sold in eight lots in weight groupings from 225kg to 314kg. Three of the mobs, all straight Angus, averaged 225kg liveweight, making 576-581c/kg, while another four mobs averaging 276kg made 556-560c. The heaviest group of 101 steers (in this case Angus x Ultrablacks, not straight Angus like the others) averaging 314kg made 543c/kg.
In other larger steer lines offered this week:
- 254 Wagyu x Angus weaners 7-9 months from Moonie in southern Queensland were offered. The steer portion averaging 237kg made 630c while the heifers 228kg made 570c.
- 350 Angus x composite weaned steers 10-11 months averaging 280-293kg from Cunnamulla, southwest Queensland sold from 529c/kg to 543c/kg.
- From Uralla, NSW, 114 Angus steers 7-8 months averaging 285kg returned $1500 or 527c/kg.
- 100 Angus steers 19-20 months averaging 453kg from Penola, SA made 519c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Anakie, VIC.
In contrast with steer price trends, heifer values generally softened on Friday, in c/kg terms – however clearance remained strong at 82-94pc across the five categories.
Heifers 280-330kg eased 3c to average 450c, while lines 330-400kg lost 8c to average 450c, and +400kg heifers dropped 10c to average 430c.
Highlights included 89 Angus heifers 15-16 months averaging 373kg from Lake Mundi, SA, returning 471c/kg and destined to travel to a buyer near Swan Hill, VIC.
Breeding females
There was a widespread, solid rise in breeding female values, particularly among pregnant lines.
Station-mated cows lifted $80 a head to average $2028, clearing the entire offering. PTIC cows averaged $2220, up $114, with a clearance of 87pc across the 1130 offered.
SM heifers gained $533 to average $2309, but managed to clear only 67pc of the 362 offered.
Source: AuctionsPlus
Great result for SLM at Amenda station Cunnamulla with those steers featured in the photo, and another quality line up of weaners coming up this week off Willacora.
You won’t buy better handled cattle than those produced by the SLM managers.