CATTLE numbers totalled 9985 head on AuctionsPlus  this week, up three percent or 312 head on last week.

Weaners and yearlings continue to dominate the offering, this week totalling 7888 head.

Impacts from the seasonal conditions remain present, with clearance dipping 13pc to total 64pc across all cattle offered. This week saw increases to the average price returned for both light heifers and steers weighing under 200kg, up 22c and 27c respectively.

PTIC cows sold from $800 to $1750 this week, averaging $1104, up $25. The majority of numbers came from Western & Southern Queensland and the Central West of New South Wales. Top price was returned by a line of 20 Simmental cows 6-8 years averaging 674kg, PTIC to Simmental bulls, from Geurie, NSW.

From Cunnamulla, QLD, a line of 17 mixed age Romagnola cross cows 628kg, sold PTIC to Romagnola bulls, returned $1500. From Mudgee, NSW a single line of PTIC Angus heifers 24 months averaging 386kg sold for $910, travelling to a buyer in Gippsland VIC.

Cows with calves at foot increased by 80 head this week, to 456 listed. Prices ranged from $900 to $2320, averaging $1409, down $42 on last week. Top price was returned by a line of 22 Cluden Newry & Londavra blood Angus cows, two years averaging 430kg, with Angus calves at foot, from Cranbrook, TAS.

From Naracoorte, SA a line of 23 Angus cows & 24 calves returned $1800 to a buyer across the border in Swan Hill, VIC. Averaging 490kg, these cows were 3-4 years with 6-7 month old Angus CAF.

A line of 23 Charolais cows 3-4 years averaging 581kg, with calves at foot, from Oakey, QLD sold for $1720. From Narrabri, NSW a line of 34 Angus x Shorthorn first-calvers 2-3 years, with 1-3 week old Angus-sired CAF achieved $1420. From Strathdownie, VIC a line of 7-9 year old Angus cows with Te Mania blood Angus calves, 3-5 months old returned $1110.

Demand for light steers under 200kg remained strong, with the average price rising by 27c to 317c and prices ranging from 278c to 327c. From Glencoe, NSW a line of 65 Hereford cross steers, 9-11 months averaging 172kg, achieved the top price to a buyer in QLD. From Southern NSW, 26 Angus cross steers 170kg from Wantabadgery sold for 322c.

Steers 200-280kg sold from 285-358c this week, averaging 322c, steady on last week. Top price was returned by 44 Angus cross steers, 7-8 months averaging 210kg, from Bridgewater, VIC. From Guyra, NSW a line of 60 Angus cross steers 261kg returned 337c, and from Springsure, QLD 130 Senepol x composite steers 202kg at 8-10 months sold for 311c.

Steers 280-300kg sold from 270-400c this week, averaged 317c, which slipped another 5c. Top price went to a line of 54 Angus cross steers, 11-12 months averaging 287kg from Highlands, VIC. Other highlights saw 15 Hereford steers 302kg from Meander, TAS sell for 393c; 111 Angus steers 315kg from Exeter, NSW return 345c; and 139 Santa cross steers at 285kg from Blackall, QLD sell for 292c.

Steers more than 330kg averaged 304c this week, selling from 248352c, down 23c on last week. From Nariel Valley, VIC 43 Angus steers 373kg achieved the top price, while from Merriwa, NSW a line of 71 Charolais x Shorthorn feeders 333kg sold for 307c.

Light heifers less than 200kg sold from 230-313c this week, to average 268c, up 22c on last week. Top price was returned by a line of 50 Angus cross heifers 7-8 months averaging 198kg from Bridgewater, VIC, which found a Victorian buyer. From Dubbo, NSW a line of 120 Angus heifers 172kg sold for 289c, while 20 Hereford cross heifers from Naracoorte, SA returned 271c.

Heifers 200-280kg sold from 220-297c this week to average 266c, down 18c. Top price went to a line of 55 Angus heifers 261kg from Dubbo, NSW, while 102 Angus heifers from Condamine, QLD sold for 269c.

Heifers 280-330kg sold from 218-327c this week, averaging 263c. From Geurie, NSW a line of 30 Simmental heifers 280kg returned the top price, and 43 Angus cross heifers from Millmerran, QLD 317kg sold for 264c.

Heavy heifers more than 330kg saw prices ranging from 280-313c this week for an average price of 307c, up 12c. Top price was achieved by four lots of 96 Angus feeder heifers offered by TJ Henwood Family Trust, Uardry, Hay NSW. The offering was part of 1600 Angus cattle offered by the Henwood family. The heifers started life on Watervalley Station near Kingston, SA before being trucked to Uardry as calves and grown out. The offering achieved a 100pc clearance and largely sold to Victorian buyers.

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

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 279c 327c to average 309c, while heifers sold from 231c to 313c to average 270c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 286c to 358c to average 321c, while heifers sold from 220c to 298c to average 260c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 270c to 400c to average 323c, while heifers sold from 206c to 328c to average 261c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 248c to 353c to average 302c, while heifers sold from 227c to 313c to average 297c

Steer Highlights

8 to 10 month old, 202kg, SENAPOL X CHAROLAIS/Composite steers from SPRINGSURE, QLD sold for 312c/$630

7 to 12 month old, 285kg, Santa Gertrudis steers from BLACKALL, QLD sold for 293c/$835

10 to 12 month old, 325kg, Ultrablack/Angus Cross steers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 277c/$900

11 to 12 month old, 287kg, Angus steers from HIGHLANDS, VIC sold for 401c/$1150

7 to 8 month old, 210kg, Angus steers from BRIDGEWATER, VIC sold for 359c/$755

10 to 12 month old, 373kg, Angus steers from NARIEL VALLEY, VIC sold for 353c/$1315

9 to 10 month old, 213kg, Hereford steers from NARACOORTE, SA sold for 300c/$640

10 to 12 month old, 302kg, Hereford steers from MEANDER, TAS sold for 394c/$1190

Heifer Highlights

12 to 13 month old, 280kg, Simmental heifers from GEURIE, NSW sold for 328c/$920

18 to 20 month old, 379kg, Angus heifers from HAY, NSW sold for 314c/$1189

12 to 16 month old, 260kg, Angus heifers from CONDAMINE, QLD sold for 270c/$700

10 to 12 month old, 317kg, Angus heifers from MILLMERRAN, QLD sold for 265c/$840

16 to 20 month old, 317kg, Brangus heifers from ROLLESTON, QLD sold for 240c/$760

7 to 8 month old, 198kg, Angus heifers from BRIDGEWATER, VIC sold for 314c/$620

9 to 10 month old, 190kg, Hereford heifers from NARACOORTE, SA sold for 272c/$515