Part of the run of 319 unweaned F1 Wagyu x Angus steers and heifers, all 6-8 months from Kaputar Pastoral Co, Barraba, that sold to 937.4c/kg live.

AuctionsPlus results for young cattle was stronger this week, assisted by an eight percent decline in offerings to 20,565 head.

With another EYCI record of 910.25c/kg (carcase weight equivalent) set on Tuesday, online young cattle prices were dearer for all but one category, while proven and potential breeders were largely cheaper.

The largest supply of heavy steers (400kg+) in several weeks was greeted with strong buyer activity, with an 83pc clearance rate for the 1072 head offered. Supported by strong demand, prices averaged 459c/kg, up 28c on the previous week. The largest steer category for the week was 280-330kg steers at 3248 head – averaging 7c higher at 545c/kg, while steers 200-280kg fell 7c, to average 594c.

Most young heifer categories increased this week, with 280-330kg lines up 1c to average 494c. Similarly, the 200-280kg segment lifted 7c to 549c/kg, with an 83pc clearance for the 2511 head offered. Heifers 330-400kg fell 2c to average 459c/kg.

Record-setting Wagyu F1s

A highlight this week was demand for some larger runs of F1 Wagyu backgrounders, including record-setting levels for several lines.

Kaputar Pastoral Co from Barraba on the NSW northwest slopes & plains offered 319 unweaned F1 Wagyu x Angus steers and heifers, all 6-8 months.

The first line of 84 steers averaging 286kg made a record 937.4c/kg, selling for $2680. They were sired by high-performance Fullblood Wagyu bulls including KPCFM00111, KPCFM00115, KPCFM00118, KPCFM00127, KPCFM00123 & KPCFN00187.

A second run of 34 steers 278kg made 935.3c/kg to return $2600.

The heaviest of Kaputar’s three steer lines averaging 325kg, numbering 39 head, sired by KPCFL00095 Kaputar Humdinger L95 and Kaputar L103, sold for 921.4c/kg to return $2870.

Among the three sibling unweaned heifer lines offered by the same vendor, also 6-8 months, the first line of 36 averaging 261kg made 879.3c/kg ($2295), the second run of 92 averaging 266kg made 877.3c ($2330), and the heaviest run of 34 averaging 300kg made 854.5c/kg or $2560.

The vendor normally takes these cattle through to feeder weights, but seized the opportunity given current market conditions.

Some of the steers and heifers offered were by Kaputar Humdinger, purchased by Kia Ora Stud at the recent Kaputar Pastoral Co registered fullblood sale. He is currently at Holbrook Breeders for export collection.

Steady post-sale transactions

One of the features in the online cattle market last week was the steady transaction of cattle throughout the online auctions. These transactions were largely the result of shrewd bidding for weaners and yearlings, resulting in a very fast auction and lower initial clearance rates.

However, in the hours and days following, plenty of lines were transacted, as many vendors lowered their initial reserves to settle transactions and ensure a sale. This week’s auctions returned to typical length and clearance rates were higher across four of the five categories, with only mid weight 280-330 steers lower, at 50pc.

For proven and potential breeding lines, the largest category this week was PTIC heifers with 3038 head offered. At a 60pc clearance rate, PTIC heifers for the week averaged 5c/kg lower at 520c/kg. An indicative line of 51 PTIC Angus heifers, from Barraba NSW, averaging 434kg at 17-18 months, sold for $2480.

The 1126 PTIC cows offered online for the week averaged 8c/kg cheaper at 399c/kg, with a healthy 83pc clearance rate, while a small offering of NSM cows were 52c/kg cheaper at 305c/kg.

Prices below as at 2pm, Friday 23 April