PRICES in most young steer and heifer categories improved a little this week on AuctionsPlus, where 8662 commercial cattle were offered – an increase of 23 percent on last week’s listings.

Joined female numbers remained strong with 1890 head, with buyer interest strongly focused on Angus breeders. A line of EU-accredited Angus heifers 18-19 months averaging 424kg from Yea, VIC,  PTIC to Rennylea Angus bulls, sold for $1250.

Proven breeders averaged $1175 and sold to a top of $1510 for a line of five year old PTIC Angus cows averaging 612kg from Werai, NSW. Mixed age and older breeders averaged $998 and sold to a top of $1290. This top price went to a line of 8-11 year old cows PTIC to Weeran bulls, from Moyston, VIC.

Cow and calf units totalled 750 this week with clearance slipping to 55pc. Mixed aged units averaged $1188 and sold to a top of $1250 for a line of 144 cows and calves out of Tambo, QLD. These Droughtmaster cross and Brahman cross cows, 4-9 years, averaged 415kg and have been running with Angus and Brahman bulls.

Proven breeders with calves at foot averaged $1186 this week and sold to a top of $1400 for a small line of Angus cows 4-6 years with composite calves at foot, and running back with Blue E Composite bulls, from Cowra NSW. A line of Santa first-calvers 2-3 years, PTIC to Shorthorn bulls, from Binnaway, NSW sold for $1200.

Weaner & Yearling Sale numbers saw a slight increase for a total listing of 4761 head. Weaner steers sold from 209c to 336c and averaged 287c/kg. The top price of $540/head went to three lines totalling 400 Rennylea blood Angus steers from Romani Pastoral Co, Windy Station Quirindi, NSW. These steers were 5-6 months averaging 161kg and will be travelling to two different buyers in Hamilton, VIC and Toowoomba, QLD.

Weaner heifers sold from 166c to 277c and averaged 232c/kg. The top price of 277c went to a line of EU accredited Bald Blair Angus heifers from Guyra, NSW,  5- 7 months averaging 227kg, which are heading north to Moura, QLD.

In Tasmania, a line of 60 Angus PTIC heifers 17-19 months averaging 426kg from Whitemark sold for $1190. Unweaned heifers sold to a top of 295c for a line of Charolais/ Angus heifers aged 8-9 months and averaging 315kg. Unweaned steers sold to a top of 341c for a line of Charolais x Angus heifers aged 8-9 months averaging 328kg.

In WA, a line of Angus slaughter cows 303kg dressed weight estimate from Northcliff, sold for 392c and a line of Friesian slaughter bulls 244kg dressed sold for 361c. A line of three year old Angus cows 512kg from Gingin sold for $986, and from Bindoon a line of Red Angus weaner steers 8-10 months, averaging 352kg sold for 295c.

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

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 209-336c to average 280c; while heifers sold from 144-293c to average 229c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 270-322c to average 292c ; while heifers sold from 187-256c to average 230c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 342-342c to average 342c; while heifers sold from 217-295c to average 241c
• Steers +350kg sold from 246-295c to average 262c; while heifers sold from 245-248c to average 247c.

Among larger lines sold this week:

• 108 Droughtmaster weaned steers 8-14 months averaging 275kg, from Blackall QLD made $824
• 123 Angus unweaned steers, 6-7 months 222kg from Roma QLD made $665, while another 129 similar steers 232kg made $695
• 144 Droughtmaster cross station-mated cows & calves, 4-9 years, 415kg joined to Angus & Brahman bulls, from Tambo QLD made $1250
• 97 Angus weaned steers 5-7 months 206kg from Aberdeen NSW made $640
• 120 Angus weaned steers, 6-7 mths, 220 kg from Rockley NSW made $705

Steer Highlights

5 to 6 month old, 160kg, Angus/Angus steers from QUIRINDI, NSW sold for 336c/540

8 to 9 month old, 289kg, Angus/Angus steers from GUNDAGAI, NSW sold for 270c/780

6 to 7.5 month old, 221kg, Angus/Angus steers from ROMA, QLD sold for 301c/665

8 to 14 month old, 274kg, Droughtmaster/Droughtmaster steers from BLACKALL, QLD sold for 300c/823

20 to 24 month old, 405kg, Charolais/Hereford steers from BILOELA, QLD sold for 246c/995

8 to 9 month old, 327kg, Charolais/Angus steers from KAROOLA, TAS sold for 342c/1120

5 to 7 month old, 254kg, Angus/Angus steers from DUNALLEY, TAS sold for 322c/820

8 to 10 month old, 352kg, Red Angus/Red Angus Cross steers from BINDOON, WA sold for 295c/1039.

Heifer Highlights

5 to 7 month old, 227kg, Angus/Angus heifers from GUYRA, NSW sold for 277/630

6 to 7 month old, 285kg, Limousin/Angus heifers from DUNEDOO, NSW sold for 256/730

15 to 16 month old, 362kg, Limousin/Angus/Limousin heifers from TUMBLONG, NSW sold for 246/890

15 to 18 month old, 335kg, Santa Gertrudis/Santa Gertrudis heifers from DUBBO, NSW sold for 232/775

8 to 10 month old, 197kg, Angus/Angus heifers from ROMA, QLD sold for 241/475

6 to 7.5 month old, 210kg, Angus/Angus heifers from ROMA, QLD sold for 238/500

8 to 9 month old, 315kg, Charolais/Angus heifers from KAROOLA, TAS sold for 296/930

5 to 7 month old, 245kg, Angus/Angus heifers from DUNALLEY, TAS sold for 294/720

17 to 19 month old, 399kg, Angus/Angus heifers from WHITEMARK, TAS sold for 248/990