From Holbrook, NSW this line of 256kg Angus steers sold to a South Australian buyer for 377c this week

LIGHTER weaner and backgrounder steers trended upwards in price on the AuctionsPlus online market this week, where cattle numbers dropped by about 2000 head on the previous week to 6909 head offered.

Given much better seasonal conditions that the rest of eastern Australia, Victorian buyers dominated the buying activity, securing 64 percent of the steers offered, representing a 90pc clearance for all steers offered.

Cows and calves offered this week sold from $930 to $1700 to average $1295, down $21 on last week.

Top price was paid for a line of 4-6 year old Angus cows from Baddaginnie, VIC, which sold to a buyer in South Australia. Victorian buyers purchased 43pc of the cows with calves at foot, including two-year-old Angus cows from Taralga, NSW which sold for $1610 to a buyer from South West Victoria, and three-year-old unjoined Shorthorn heifers and calves from Ballandean, QLD, which will make the trip down to East Gippsland having sold for $940.

Among young cattle, steers less than 280kg sold from 233c to 377c this week, averaging 327c. Numbers were dominated by New South Wales listings, accounting for 1025 head listed. From Holbrook, NSW 256kg Angus steers sold to a South Australian buyer for 377c, while 222kg Angus steers from Niangala, NSW sold into Victoria for 356c. A line of 211kg Droughtmaster steers from Goondiwindi, QLD sold for 261c.

Steers 280-330kg sold from 220c to 324c this week, averaging 301c, down 4c on last week.

Heavier steers +330kg sold from 272c to 327c to average 304c, up 3c on last week. Top-priced lot was a line of 352kg Angus feeder steers from Kawarren, VIC, while 380kg Poll Hereford feeder steers from Bookaar, VIC sold into South Australia for 303c.

Heifers less than 280kg sold from 231c to 290c this week to average 255c. Top priced line was a mob of 264kg Shorthorn heifers from Bundella, NSW, while Murray Grey cross heifers from Balranald, NSW sold for 276c.

Heifers 280-330kg sold from 222c to 290c this week to average 274c. Included were 9-13 month old 309kg Droughtmaster heifers from Springsure, QLD which sold for 263c, while 321kg Angus x Shorthorn heifers from Trangie, NSW sold to a buyer in Northern Victoria for 290c.

Heifers heavier than 330kg sold from 254c to 289c, averaging 275c, down 2c on last week. A line of 12-13 month old 345kg composite heifers from Millthorpe, NSW sold 286c, while a line of 330kg Hereford heifers from Quandialla, NSW sold to a buyer at Holbrook, NSW for 273c.

Among larger lines sold this week:

• 104 Angus x composite weaned heifers, 9-11 mths, 260 kg, from Alpha, Central QLD made $600
• 126 Angus yearling steers, EU, 12-16 mths, 259 kg, from Guyra NSW made 345c/$895;
• 112 Shorthorn NSM yearling heifers, EU, 12-15 mths, 264 kg, from Bundella NSW made 290c/$765;
• 110 Angus NSM yearling heifers, 13-15 mths, 302 kg, from Crookwell NSW made 283c/$855; while 105 Red Angus x Hereford backgrounder heifers, EU, 12-15 mths, 290 kg, also from Crookwell made 257c/$745
• 117 Angus NSM cows & calves, 4-5 years, 522 kg from Purlewaugh NSW made $1400

Source: AuctionsPlus