Larger heifer lines sold this week included these 350 Angus x Brahman backgrounder heifers 7-10 months averaging 222kg, from St George Qld, making 466c, 468c and 471c/kg or $1250 a head.

CATTLE listings were up 35 percent on AuctionsPlus this week, reaching 12,539 head.

Clearance slipped sharply to 81 percent, down from 93pc the week before.

While the market eased in places, the general trend among young steer and heifer categories was higher, while breeding female results were mixed.

Lighter steers 200-280kg lifted 37c/kg to average 602c/kg, but cleared only 59pc of the offering of 972 head. Heavy feeder steer +400kg lifted another 17c to average 506c, clearing 78pc of the offering of 1982 head and showing stronger buyer depth at the heavier end.

Midweight steers 280-330kg lost 8c/kg to average 555c, but cleared 96pc of the offering of 927 head.

Among steer lines, highlights included 15 Angus and Angus x Hereford steers 7-9 months averaging 257kg from Violet Town, VIC, returning 606c/kg. They will travel to a buyer near Euroa, VIC.

Larger northern steer lines included 255 Santa and Santa cross feeder steers 474kg at 15-26 months from Jundah, Central Western Qld, that made 489-491c/kg.

Heifer results were mostly stronger, with lines 280-330kg up 30c, averaging 488c and clearing the entire offering of 1250 head. Lighter heifers less than 200kg dropped sharply, down 180c on last week as buyers showed less appetite for very young stock.

Heifers 330-400kg lifted 11c to average 478c, clearing 89pc of the 1694 offered.

A line of 102 Angus x Droughtmaster heifers 8-14 months averaging 286kg from Kogan, QLD, returned 490c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Texas, NSW.

Larger heifer lines included 350 Angus x Brahman backgrounder heifers 7-10 months averaging 222kg, from St George Qld, making 466c, 468c and 471c/kg.

Breeding females

Breeding females were in low supply and presented a varied picture, with PTIC cows improving $419 to average $2454 and SM heifers and calves recording the greatest drop in average price, down $494 to average $2373/pair.

Better prices were seen for SM cows & calves, lifting $206 to average $2962/pair, clearing 86pc of the offering of 484 head.

From Padthaway, SA, 41 Angus PTIC cows 4-6 years averaging 607kg returned $2780/head and will travel to a buyer near Lucindale, SA.

Source: AuctionsPlus