Part of a A line of 180 Angus steers 366kg at 12-16 months from Millicent, SA that returned $1850/head on Friday.

CATTLE listings on AuctionsPlus fell four percent this week to 21,126 head, but managed to remain above 20,000 head for the fourth consecutive week.

Given the recent flow of cattle supply onto the market, steady numbers are expected to continue for the last two remaining commercial cattle sales of 2022.

While the sustained higher volume of cattle has seen clearance rates dwindle, the market continues to attract resilient bidding activity across isolated lines of quality cattle.

Price trends for the week continued to trend lower as the volatility of pricing weighed heavily on buyer sentiment. Further indicators of market sentiment – clearance, and value over reserve – aligned with broader market trends.

Overall clearance rose slightly on last week albeit still subdued, while value over reserve contracted for the second consecutive week.

Steer results saw all five categories register price trends ease in $/head terms on last week, with mid-weight steers recording the largest reduction in price. Clearance rates sat higher on last week, particularly across the lighter categories, however overall sentiment remained subdued.

Steers less than 200kg were sparse this week, with only 177 head offered. The category sold to an 86pc clearance with prices averaging $994/head – back $185 from last week. Steers 200-280kg registered a $35 decline on last week to average $1457 across the 1519 head offered.

From Cloncurry, Queensland 90 Santa steers 10-20 months averaging 244kg returned $1720 to a buyer in Townsville, Queensland.

Steers 280-330kg had a total of 1725 head offered which sold to a 64pc clearance. The category registered the smallest price contraction across the steer categories this week, easing $24 to average $1826/head. A large run of 99 Angus weaner steers 8-9 months from Singleton, NSW returned $1790/head.

The largest steer category for the week saw a total of 2741 head of 330-400kg steers offered online. Clearance rates reached 54pc while prices eased $60 to average $1892. A line of 180 Angus steers 366kg at 12-16 months from Millicent, SA returned $1850/head, travelling to Victoria.

Heavier steers +400kg continued to sell to reduced demand as clearance rates reached 50pc across the 1750 head offered. Prices eased further again this week, decreasing by $26 to average $2146. From Orange, NSW 53 Angus feeder steers 15-16 months averaging 472kg returned $2305 and will travel to Mansfield, Victoria.

Heifer categories followed a similar trend to the steers, as four of the five categories registered easing prices in $/head terms on last week. Heifers 200-280kg registered an uptick in price, gaining $62 to average $1360. The offering of 1285 head grew 5pc on last week and sold to a clearance of 62pc- the highest across the heifer categories. From Tintinara, SA 32 8-9 month-old Angus x Shorthorn heifers 279kg returned $1600 and will travel to Keith, SA.

Heifers 280-330kg registered a significant downward price shift, back $167 to average $1635. The 1072 head offering contracted 9pc on last week, for a 45pc clearance. A line of 56 Droughtmaster future breeders 14-19 months averaging 320kg from Moranbah, Queensland returned $1830/head.

A total of 2155 heifers weighing 330-400kg were listed this week with the category averaging $1971 – easing $88 on last week. From Surat, Queensland a run of 131 Angus x Droughtmaster 10-14 month-old heifers 391kg returned $2160.

Heifers + 400kg sold to a subdued clearance of 28pc. The 801 head listed averaged $2065 – back $48 from last week. A line of Angus NSM future breeder heifers 412kg at 12-13-months from Purnim, Victoria returned $2400 and will travel interstate to Scone, NSW.

From Tintinara, SA this line of 32 8-9 month-old Angus x Shorthorn heifers 279kg returned $1600 and will travel to Keith, SA.

Breeding cattle

Breeding stock numbers accounted for 35pc of total listings this week with mixed results returned across the categories.

PTIC heifers were the largest category with 3310 head offered. Following a $328 rise last week, prices kicked higher again this week with the category averaging $2876 – up $152. From Glenn Innes, NSW 22 Angus PTIC heifers 24-25 months averaging 534kg returned $3500 and will travel interstate to Queensland.

1040 PTIC cows were offered this week with the offering averaging $2746 – back $50 on last week with clearance rates reaching 37pc. From Henty, NSW 17 PTIC Angus cows 39-40 months averaging 642kg returned $3700, heading to a buyer in Scone, NSW.

SM cows and calves registered a 26pc increase in listings with the 1316 head offering returning a clearance of 40pc. Prices for the category rose by $746 to average $3604 as several quality lines were met with increased bidding activity.

From St George, Queensland 42 Droughtmaster heifers 1-2-years averaging 530kg with CAF returned $3520. Joined to Angus/Santa bulls the heifers will travel to a buyer in Thargomindah, Queensland.

Source: AuctionsPlus