This line of 72 Droughtmaster steers 12-16 months averaging 284kg from Emerald, QLD returned 405c/kg on Friday and will travel to a buyer near Blackwater, QLD.

Listings eased 11 percent to 18,343 head in AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales this week. Clearance came in at 54pc, down 5pc drop on the same time last week.

Breeding females failed to fire in terms of clearance this week, struggling to pass 50pc across many categories. Processors were considerably less active than they were last week

Steer prices were mostly steady to stronger, on a c/kg basis.

Steers 200-280kg was the only category to list larger numbers, rising by 6pc to 1385 head. 78pc of the category sold, averaging 434c/kg lwt, up 21c on last week. Prices ranged from 312-528c.

A line of 73 Angus steers 10-12 months averaging 257kg from Texas, NSW returned $1190/head or 463c and will travel to a buyer near Goondiwindi, QLD.

Heavy steers 400kg + registered a smaller offering of 1355 head and with processors less active, averaged 343c/kg — down 1c from last week for a 49pc clearance.

Steers 280-330kg were in the highest demand as listings fell 9pc to 1802 head. Clearance was 85pc and prices lifted to average 402c/kg. Prices range from 286-478c.

Seventy two Droughtmaster steers 12-16 months averaging 284kg from Emerald, QLD returned 405c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Blackwater, QLD.

Steers 330-400kg, numbering 1818 head, were unchanged from last week, averaging 367c.

Heifers

Heifer listings were all back this week, while clearance was middling and prices mostly drifted lower.

Heifers 200-280kg performed better than last week with 14pc a smaller offering of 2047 head, but prices rose 6c/kg on average to 319c/kg. Clearance was 34pc but that was an improvement on last week’s 20pc. Prices ranged from 238-396c. From Willow Tree, NSW a line of 42 Charolais x Angus heifers 6-7 months averaging 215kg returned $720/head or 335c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Moss vale, NSW.

Heifers 280-330kg registered a 20pc smaller offering of 1128 head and averaged 308c — down 21c from last week for a 53pc clearance. Prices ranged from 233-599c.

From Orange, NSW 25 Angus heifers 9-10 months averaging 317kg returned $1900 or 599c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Garra, NSW.

From Springsure, Central Queensland, 114 Brangus backgrounder heifers 267kg at 13-16 months made 285c/kg or $761.

From Springsure, Central Queensland, these 114 Brangus backgrounder heifers 267kg at 13-16 months made 285c/kg or $761 on Friday. 

Breeding stock

A big jump in listings of breeding stock did little to excite the market, with low clearances in most categories. Prices were mostly higher, however.

PTIC heifers registered a 56pc larger offering of 2304 head and averaged $1722/head — down $6 from last week. Clearance was a disappointing 27pc.

From Inverell, NSW 44 Angus heifers 17-22 months averaging 392kg returned $1560/head or 398c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Gilgandra, NSW.

SM cows & calves registered a 21pc larger offering of 1411 head and averaged $2,266/pair — up $120 from last week for a 37pc clearance.

From Ashford, NSW 51 Angus/Angus cows 25-27 months averaging 369kg returned $2370/head or 643c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Collarenebri, NSW

The big jump in price came from station-mated heifers which saw prices lift $238 on last week. The 12pc larger offering of 436 head averaged $1472/head for a 42pc clearance.

From Ardlethan, NSW 70 Santa Gertrudis/Droughtmaster heifers 14-16 months averaging 374kg returned $1510/head and will travel to a buyer in Yarrawonga, VIC.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 23 February.