From Drillham, Queensland these 67 Hereford and Black Baldie weaned heifers 6-9 months averaging 278kg returned $700/head, or 252c/kg. Their 62 steer brothers 268kg made 354c/kg.   

MOST young cattle categories slipped in value in an 8245 head AuctionsPlus offering last week, where numbers rose 16 percent on the week before.

The larger offering was met with subdued demand as clearance slipped to 58pc.

Similar to this time last year, the southern cattle market may again need a good dose of confidence and sunshine to escape from the dark and gloomy doldrums of winter.

However, a lack of confidence this time around can’t be pinned on exotic disease concerns, but on the uncertain seasonal and economic outlooks.

Steers 200-280kg were down 27c/kg on average this week, averaging 384c.

Steers 280-330kg registered a larger offering of 1629 head and averaged 378c/kg – down 3c from the previous week for a 79pc clearance. Prices ranged from 293-425c/kg. From Hawkesdale, Victoria 111 Angus steers 10-11 months averaging 299kg returned $1270/head, or 425c/kg.

Steers 330-400kg registered a larger offering of 791 head and averaged 354c, down 27c or $93 from last week for a 67pc clearance. Prices ranged from 256–428c. From Narrabri, NSW 81 Angus steers 10-11 months averaged 368kg returned 378c/kg.

Heifers

Heifers 200-280kg registered a larger offering of 1002 head and averaged 303c, down 5c from the previous week for a 58pc clearance. Prices ranged from 186-365c. From Drillham, Queensland 67 Hereford and Black baldie weaned heifers 6-9 months averaging 278kg returned $700/head, or 252c/kg. Their 62 steer brothers 268kg made 354c/kg.

Heifers 280-330kg registered a larger offering of 798 head and averaged 285c – down 16c from the previous week for a 54pc clearance. Prices ranged from 239-346c. From Cowra, NSW 36 Shorthorn heifers 11-12 months averaging 321kg returned $1000/head, or 312c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Guyra, NSW.

Further north, 117 backgrounder composite heifers 303kg at 12-16 months from Charters Towers made 267c/kg, while their 122 steer brothers 336kg made 256c/kg

Breeding females

PTIC heifers registered a larger offering of 942 head and averaged $1573/head – up $333 from last week for a 23pc clearance. From Walcha, NSW three lines of a total 79 Angus PTIC heifers 22-24 months averaging 427kg returned $1775/head.

PTIC cows registered a smaller offering of 287 head and averaged $1256/head – down $282 from last week for a 62pc clearance. From Murrays Bridge, Queensland 29 Hereford PTIC cows 32-36 months averaging 479kg returned $1050/head.

Prices as at 2pm Friday 14 July.