Light heifers averaging less than 200kg sold from 577c to 815c/kg – averaging 690c. Top price went to a line of 15 Angus cross heifer calves three months averaging 86kg, from Camena, TAS.

THE first week of online cattle sales on AuctionsPlus for 2021 saw a smaller offering of 3837 head, with summer storms received across many regions over the Christmas/New Year period curbing numbers. With the reduced supplies, demand remained robust, with the overall average clearance rate hitting 85 percent.

In line with the past week’s weaner feature sales, young cattle sold to a very strong market, with a new AuctionsPlus heifer record set at 815c/kg.

Southern Queensland was the largest listing region for the week, offering 716 head, followed by the Northern Tablelands and Hunter regions of NSW, with 430 and 310 head, respectively. Purchasing was also dominated by Southern Queensland, with the region securing 722 head.

While commercial sale numbers were back slightly for the week, AuctionsPlus was active, interfacing weaner sales in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia – a total of 16 for the week and one additional online-only weaner sale.

Cows with calves at foot achieved 100pc clearance for the 411 head offered, with prices ranging from $1620 to $3510 – averaging $2542. Top price was achieved by a line of station-mated Poll Hereford cows and calves from Narrawa, NSW. The cows were 3.5 years- old averaging 637kg, with 2-4 month-old CAF averaging 144kg. From Mount Gambier SA, a line of 62 Angus cows 3-4 years averaging 487kg with 6-16 week old calves at foot returned $3160. They will travel north to Moree, NSW.

PTIC heifers sold from $1800 to $2940 – averaging $2392. Top price originated from Glen Innes NSW, for a line of 23 Angus heifers PTIC to Dulverton Angus bulls returning $2940/head. The Bald Blair and Glenmorgan blood heifers were rising three year averaging 558kg and due to calve April. From Penola SA, a line of Poll Hereford x Angus PTIC heifers returned $2825. The rising two-year-olds were PTIC to Angus bulls and averaged 588kg.

Young cattle

The 962 heifers on offer this week attracted strong demand, with a 98pc clearance. Light heifers averaging less than 200kg sold from 577c to 815c/kg – averaging 690c. Top price went to a line of 15 Angus cross heifer calves three months averaging 86kg, from Camena, TAS. A line of 27 Angus and Angus cross weaned heifers, 5-7 months averaging 176kg returned 625c/kg.

Heifers 200-280kg ranged from 462c to 657c – to average 558c. From Miles QLD, a line of 80 Charolais x Brahman and Santa cross heifers topped the category, ranging from 5-16 months, averaging 200kg, which are heading to Wandoan, QLD.

Heifers 280-330kg sold between 378c and 522c this week – averaging 464c. Top price was secured by a line of 13 unweaned Murray Grey heifers 7-10 months averaging 312kg from Ridgely, TAS, which will remain in TAS.

Feeder heifers 330-400kg sold from 390c to 555c, to average 460c. From Canowindra NSW, a line of Poll Hereford and Hereford heifers topped the category, with the future breeders 12-15 months averaging 333kg and headed north-west to Bourke, NSW. A line of 41 Angus heifers, 16-18 months averaging 344kg from Guyra NSW, returned $1810/head.

The small offering of heavy heifers averaging more than 400kg sold from 329c to 374c this week, averaging 349c. Top price was achieved by a line of 11 Angus x Friesian heifers, 16-18 months averaging 434kg.

The 1019 steers offered this week did not attract the same strong demand as the heifers, with a 67pc clearance rate achieved.

Light steers averaging less than 200kg sold from 290c to 762c – averaging 608c/kg. Top price was achieved by a line of 7 steer calves, three months-old, averaging 92kg from Camena, TAS. A line of Angus cross weaned steers, 5-7 months averaging 177kg from Millmerran QLD, returned 654c/kg.

Steers averaging 200-280kg sold from 504c to 606c – averaging 573c. Top price went to a line of 32 Santa cross steers 6-12 months averaging 225kg from Bourke, NSW. They will travel to Gunnedah, NSW. Across the border in Millmerran QLD, a line of 18 Angus and Angus cross steers, 5-7 months averaging 215kg, retuned 604c.

There was a single line of steers in the 280-330kg category. From Ridgley TAS, the line of Murray Grey unweaned steers, 6-10 months averaging 322kg, returned 552c/kg.

Feeder steers 330-400kg sold between 423c and 501c this week, to average 474c. Top price was achieved by a line of 16 Angus and Angus cross steers from Corryong, VIC. The Alpine Angus blood steers were 9-10 months averaging 334kg and will remain local. Across the border in Wagga Wagga NSW, a line of 28 Angus steers 9-10 months averaging 388kg, returned 481c/kg.

Steers heavier than 400kg ranged from 392c to 453c this week, averaging 430c. From Tintinara SA, a line of 37 Lakeside and Mt Mooney blood Simmental cross steers 9-10 months averaging 408kg topped the category, and will travel to Burra, SA.

In Tasmania, the first week of the year kicked off strong with 100pc clearance. This week saw 156 head on offer, of which 121 head were calves. Selling from $700 to $800 – averaging $720, the top priced lot of calves were a line of mixed sex Speckle Park x Friesian calves averaging 131kg from Camina. Weaners sold from $1560 to $1780, averaging $1678, with the top price going to a line of Murray Grey weaner steers averaging 322kg from Ridgley.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold this week, by weightrange:

Less than 200kg:  Steers sold from 290-762c to average 608c, while heifers sold from 557-815c to average 690c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 504-606c to average 573c, while heifers sold from 462-657c to average 558c

280-330kg: Heifers sold from 378-522c to average 464c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 423-501c to average 474c, while heifers sold from 390-555c to average 460c

+400kg: Steers sold from 392-453c to average 430c, while heifers sold from 329-374c to average 349c

Source: AuctionsPlus