THE short working week saw cattle numbers offered online decline this week, with a total of 7560 head listed, down 27 percent. As the tough season in the south continues, clearance rates remained steady, although that didn’t stop buyer and bidder interest, with almost 500 logins over four commercial sales.

Young cattle made up the bulk of the offering, with season-affected New South Wales again accounting for the largest portion of the yarding with 67 percent, followed by Queensland.

Of 22 Queensland lots offered this week, no bids were received on eight; a further nine were passed in; and just five lots found a buyer, by the end of the sale (re-offerings next week may lift that conversion rate).

Joined females were in supply this week with 2263 head offered, up 1660 on last week.

PTIC and joined cows averaged $1142 to top $1910 for a line of 6-8 year old Hereford cows PTIC to Charolais and Angus bulls, offered by JM Wheatley & Co, Deepwater, NSW.

Five-year-old Angus cows from Forbes NSW, PTIC to Angus bulls, made $1370.

PTIC and joined heifers averaged $1179 to reach a top of $1555 for a line of Angus heifers 22-24 months 546kg from Scone, PTIC to Angus bulls. A larger line of 138 Angus heifers 20-24 months, PTIC to Eaglehawk Angus bulls, sold for $1300.

Cow and calf unit numbers remained steady this week, with 407 units offered. Two lines of Droughtmaster cross cows and calves from Clermont, cows aged 4-13 years, Charolais & Brahman sired calves averaging 148kg) averaged $1010.

This week numbers in Tasmania were strong, with almost 500 head offered across 24 lots. 200-300kg steers averaged $1004/265c and reached a top of $1080/392c for a few lines of weaned Angus steers averaging 275kg aged 6-7 months, from Stonehouse Grazing, Oatlands. The same vendor achieved the top price for 200-300kg heifers, with a line averaging 236kg which made $710/236c.

In a national breakdown of young cattle sold by weight range:

• Steers  less than 250kg sold from 278c to 377c to average 327c/kg; while heifers sold from 225-312c to average 266c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 262-392c to average 328c; while heifers sold from 255-305c to average 275c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 290-363c to average 328c; while heifers sold from 230-248c to average 239c
• Steers 350kg + sold for 291c; while heifers sold from 252-283c to average 264c.

Steer Highlights

6-8 month old, 239kg, Angus steers from ARMIDALE, NSW sold for 349c/$835

7-8 month old, 270kg, Angus steers from TARCUTTA, NSW sold for 318c/$860

10-12 month old, 350kg, Angus steers from COONAMBLE, NSW sold for 291c/$1020

7-9 month old, 319kg, Angus steers from BENALLA, VIC sold for 290c/$925

6-7 month old, 275kg, Angus steers from OATLANDS, TAS sold for 393c/$1080

6-7 month old, 241kg, Angus steers from OATLANDS, TAS sold for 377c/$910

Heifer Highlights

7-8 month old, 275kg, Simmental/Angus heifers from TUMUT, NSW sold for 305c/$840

10-12 month old, 300kg, Angus heifers from COONAMBLE, NSW sold for 249c/$745

8-9 month old, 268kg, Angus heifers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 266c/715

12-14 month old, 332kg, Angus heifers from BYADUK, VIC sold for 231c/$765

6-7 month old, 227kg, Angus heifers from OATLANDS, TAS sold for 312c/$710

20-21 month old, 436kg, Angus heifers from WHITEMARK, TAS sold for 253c/$1100.

Source: AuctionsPlus