CATTLE numbers dropped this week to total 5983 head offered, down 32 percent or 2700 head.

Despite the decline in offerings, buyer confidence remained strong with a lift in prices in most young stock categories and a 91pc clearance achieved across all sales.

A highlight this week was the return of large northern Australian lines targeted at the live export market, with 954 feeder bulls 12-24 months off Bloodwood Station, Mataranka NT selling in two lines averaging 322kg and 265kg for 301c/kg, on station, to a Darwin live exporter.

PTIC heifers continue to attract buyer attention, achieving an average of $1388, up $107 on last week. Southern QLD again remained the most active purchasing region, with 713 head, followed by Central Western NSW.

PTIC females were in short supply with 959 head offered, down 970 head on last week. PTIC heifer prices reaching a top of $1600 achieved by a line of 18 Angus heifers from Yass River, NSW. These heifers were 25-26 months, PTIC to Angus bulls and will travel 1100kms to Mount Compass, SA.

PTIC cows sold from $810 to $1610 this week, averaging $1110. The top price was achieved by a line of 31 Angus cows, account Tintaldra Station, North East VIC. These cows were three years old averaging 519kg and joined to Angus bulls. A line of 49 PTIC Shorthorn cows 3-7 years and joined to Shorthorn bulls, from Nyngan, NSW sold for $995.

Cow and calf units were limited in the offering this week with 122 head offered, down 88 head. Prices ranged from $940 to $1150, averaging $984. Top price was achieved by a line of Murray Grey/Friesian cows and calves, 5-6 years with CAF sired by Angus bulls, from Second Valley, SA. A line of 45 Poll Hereford cows 3-9 years, most with Poll Hereford calves at foot, from Dirranbandi, QLD made $940, selling to a buyer near Wodonga, VIC.

Steers less than 280kg sold from 242-358c, averaging 308c, up 8c on last week. Highlights included 84 Angus weaners 11-12 months, 280kg from Orange, NSW selling for 358c; 94 Droughtmaster steers 6-10 months averaging 246kg from Jericho, QLD selling for 308c; 400 Droughtmaster x Brahman weaned steers 6-9 months 223kg and 196kg from Clermont, QLD selling for 302c and 258c/kg respectively; and 37 Angus x Charolais weaned steers 10-12 months 218kg from Wee Waa, NSW selling for 297c.

Steers 280-330kg sold from 300c to 363c and averaged 335c, up 27c on last week. Highlights included 61 Angus steers 10-11 months, 313kg from Hawkesdale, VIC selling for 363c; 76 Angus yearling steers 12-13 months, 297kg from Cootamundra, NSW selling for 339c; and 50 Shorthorn x Hereford yearling steers 10-12 months 317kg from Merriwa, NSW sold for 300c.

Steers +330kg sold from 209c to 363c and averaged 308c, down 18c on last week. Highlights included 66 Angus 10-11 months, averaging 338kg from Hawkesdale, VIC selling for 363c; 50 Angus weaned steers 11-12 months, 389kg from Cooma, NSW selling for 344c; and 61 Simmental feeders 13-16 months, 346kg from Tamworth, NSW selling for 312c.

Lighter heifers weighing less than 280kg sold from 215c to 341c and averaged 259c, up 14c on last week. Highlights included 44 Angus weaned heifers 10-11 months, 148kg from Adelong, NSW selling for 341c; 83 Red Poll x Droughtmaster weaned heifers 7-10 months, 210kg from Morven, QLD selling for 282c to a buyer near Forbes, NSW.

Heavier heifers weighing over 280kg sold from 254c to 304c, averaging 276c, up 13c on last week. Highlights included 50 Angus x Hereford weaners aged 10-12 months, averaging 346kg from Goondiwindi, QLD selling for 304c; and 35 Simmental yearling heifers aged 14-16 months, 310kg from Inverell, NSW selling for 254c to a near Gympie, QLD.

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

• Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 260-328c to average 320c; heifers sold from 231-341c to average 268c
• 200-280kg: Steers sold from 242-357c to average 310c; heifers sold from 215-284c to average 271c
• 280-330kg: Steers sold from 300-363c to average 335c; heifers sold from 255-295c to average 271c
• 330-400kg: Steers sold from 313-363c to average 336c; heifers sold for 305c
• +400kg: Steers sold for 210c.

Steer Highlights

6 to 9 month old, 232kg, Droughtmaster/RED POLL steers from MORVEN, QLD sold for 310c/$720

6 to 10 month old, 246kg, Droughtmaster steers from JERICHO, QLD sold for 309c/$760

8 to 11 month old, 281kg, Poll Hereford steers from TOOBEAH, QLD sold for 306c/$860

11 to 12 month old, 280kg, Angus steers from ORANGE, NSW sold for 359c/$1,005

9 to 10 month old, 276kg, Angus steers from BRAIDWOOD, NSW sold for 357c/$985

11 to 12 month old, 389kg, Angus steers from COOMA, NSW sold for 345c/$1,340

13 to 16 month old, 346kg, Simmental steers from TAMWORTH, NSW sold for 313c/$1,084

10 to 11 month old, 313kg, Angus steers from HAWKESDALE, VIC sold for 364c/$1,140

10 to 11 month old, 338kg, Angus steers from HAWKESDALE, VIC sold for 364c/$1,230

18 to 28 month old, 493kg, Friesian steers from NORTHCLIFFE, WA sold for 210c/$1,035

Heifer Highlights

10 to 12 month old, 346kg, Angus /Hereford heifers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 305c/$1,056

10 to 12 month old, 323kg, Angus heifers from GOONDIWINDI, QLD sold for 296c/$957

10 to 11 month old, 148kg, Angus heifers from ADELONG, NSW sold for 342c/$505

10 to 11 month old, 187kg, Angus heifers from ADELONG, NSW sold for 299c/$560

14 to 16 month old, 310kg, Simmental heifers from INVERELL, NSW sold for 255c/$790

14 to 17 month old, 288kg, Angus heifers from GUYRA, NSW sold for 257c/$740

11 to 12 month old, 294kg, Angus heifers from THOWGLA VALLEY, VIC sold for 265c/$780

Source: AuctionsPlus