PRICES in most young cattle weight categories eased in AuctionsPlus trading this week, in line with saleyards trends.

April was an all-time in-month record for turnover on AuctionsPlus for both sheep and cattle, with 244,000 sheep and lambs and more than 45,000 cattle listed.

May is also shaping as a big month for turnover, AuctionsPlus chief executive Angus Street said this week. Cattle numbers this week declined to 11,285 head, down 1629 head from the week before, which was the largest offering for the year.

Off the back of little follow up rain country wide, demand for breeding stock remained low, as vendors seek to consolidate in the anticipation of a dry and cold winter. The Riverina was the highest purchasing region picking up a total of 874 head followed by Southern Queensland and then the Central West of NSW.

Weaner steers fell 8c to average 293c, selling from 208c to 337c. From Lemont, Tasmania, the top price was returned by a line of unweaned Angus x Shorthorn steers 7-8 months averaging 237kg offered by Fonthill Farm.

Weaner heifers sold from 177c to 284c this week to averaged 241c, down 6c from last week. The same vendor from Lemont, TAS, achieved the top price with a line of 21 unweaned Poll Hereford x Angus x Shorthorn heifers averaging 204kg.

Yearling and grown steers fell 10c to average 298c, selling from 270-346c. The top price was achieved by a line of 75 Angus feeder steers from Walcha, NSW offered by Glen Collin Pastoral Co. The steers averaged 436kg at 17-20 months, and were EU accredited.

Yearling and grown heifers fell 18c to average 223c, selling from 210-255c. Top price was achieved by a line of 21 Angus NSM future breeders from Kangarilla, SA averaging 318kg at 14-15 months. They will travel to Yankalillia, SA.

Joined females were in strong supply with 1435 head offered, but were in low demand with a 34pc clearance achieved.  Prices increased on last week by $110 to average $1148, selling from $960 to $1420. Top price was achieved by a line of 26 PTIC Angus cows 4-5 years averaging 635kg, and 5 -7 months in calf to Angus bulls, from Briagolong, VIC.

Highlights in cow and calf units include a line of 54 station mated Angus cows and calves from Mannus, NSW selling for $1410. These Rennylea blood cows were 371kg, 3-4 years and joined to Angus bulls. They will travel to Cootamundra, NSW.

Cows sold from $623 to $1402 and averaged $951 this week. Top price was returned by a line of 70 slaughter heifers and cows from Mayanup, WA. These South Devon heifers and cows averaged 648kg at 30-95 months of age.

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

• Steers less than 250kg sold from 208-337c to average 286c; while heifers sold from 117-284c to average 237c
• Steers 250-300kg sold from 257-326c to average 298c; while heifers sold from 199-266c to average 234c
• Steers 300-350kg sold from 278-325c to average 300c; while heifers sold from 213-255c to average 240
• Steers 350+ kg sold from 270-346c to average 292c.

Steer Highlights

17 to 20 month old, 436kg, Angus steers from WALCHA, NSW sold for 346c/1507.4

8 to 10 month old, 302kg, Angus steers from BLAYNEY, NSW sold for 326c/985

8 to 10 month old, 262kg, Angus steers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 290c/760.67

8 to 10 month old, 256kg, Angus steers from YELARBON, QLD sold for 290c/740

8 to 9 month old, 259kg, Angus steers from CAMPERDOWN, VIC sold for 327c/845

7 to 9 month old, 219kg, Angus steers from TOOPERANG, SA sold for 306c/670

17 to 18 month old, 371kg, Poll Hereford steers from MENINGIE, SA sold for 270c/1003.32

8 to 10 month old, 275kg, Poll Hereford steers from COLTON, SA sold for 258c/710

7 to 8 month old, 237kg, Angus x Shorthorn steers from LEMONT, TAS sold for 337c/800

8 to 10 month old, 354kg, Murray Grey steers from CLAUDE ROAD, TAS sold for 282c/1000

9 to 10 month old, 319kg, Angus steers from VICTORIA VALLEY, TAS sold for 298c/950

Heifer Highlights

7 to 9 month old, 193kg, Speckle Park x Angus heifers from MANILLA, NSW sold for 280/540

8 to 9 month old, 318kg, Charolais x Brangus heifers from PATERSON, NSW sold for 252/800

7 to 8 month old, 295kg, Angus heifers from ARMIDALE, NSW sold for 234/690

4 to 8 month old, 133kg, Red Angus heifers from INGLEWOOD, QLD sold for 274/365

12 to 18 month old, 283kg, Angus x Composite heifers from ALPHA, QLD sold for 235/665

13 to 16 month old, 249kg, Droughtmaster cross heifers from SPRINGSURE, QLD sold for 211/523.2

8 to 9 month old, 180kg, Angus heifers from OMEO, VIC sold for 253/455

11 to 14 month old, 247kg, Angus heifers from CHESHUNT SOUTH, VIC sold for 217/535

14 to 15 month old, 317kg, Angus heifers from KANGARILLA, SA sold for 255/810

8 to 10 month old, 243kg, Red Angus x Poll Hereford heifers from COLTON, SA sold for 239/580

7 to 8 month old, 204kg, Poll Hereford heifers from LEMONT, TAS sold for 285/580

8 to 10 month old, 251kg, Angus heifers from CLAUDE ROAD, TAS sold for 267/670.