Markets

Young cattle prices trend higher, as online offering hits 10-month high

Beef Central, 19/02/2022

From Armidale, NSW, this line of 88 Angus PTIC heifers averaging 440kg at 18-19 months and joined to Angus bulls returned $3200/head or 727-731c/kg.

THE largest weekly commercial cattle offering in almost ten months failed to dampen prices in online trading this week, with the 21,481 head offered through AuctionsPlus largely selling to robust demand.

Among young cattle offerings, all five heifer weight categories and the medium and heavier steers all trended higher in price this week.

The main feature of the 26 percent week-on-week jump in offerings was through the PTIC lines, which made up almost 25pc of the market. While the late summer run of warmer and drier conditions has provided the market with some much-needed routine, the recent sideways movement in the eastern young cattle indicator reveals that buyers continue to push hard for suitable young cattle.

With forecasts for additional young cattle to be offered into autumn, it is still anticipated that the likely offloading will be well below the volume required to quench buyers’ demand.

The young steer categories were again mixed this week, with the heavy lines making solid gains, while the lighter categories edged lower on the back of quality and breed.

Heavy steers 400kg plus lifted 12c/kg on last week, to average 547c/kg liveweight. Demand was robust through the heaviest lines, with the 1671 head selling to an 87pc clearance – up from 81pc the previous week.

In contrast, the buying was selective through the 330-400kg steer lines, with the 1884 head offered selling to a 62pc clearance. Average price kicked 12c on last week, to average 615c.

From Charters Towers Queensland, a line of 112 Brahman cross steers 24-30 months averaging 332kg liveweight returned $1932/head, or 582c/kg.

The 1929 head of 200-280kg steers sold to a 77pc clearance, but slipped 11c/kg on last week to average 748c.

Featured in the Tasmanian cattle sale this week was a total of 492 head of Angus steers averaging 494kg at 17-18 months, from Memama, Flinders Island. The steers returned $2680/head or 559c, with the vendor offering free freight to either Tasmania or Victoria.

All five young heifer categories lifted in value this week, albeit with numbers constrained compared to the higher offering through the joined lines and steers. An offering of 1489 280-330kg heifers sold to a 90pc clearance, averaging 650c – up 14c on last week.

Like its steer counterparts, 330-400kg heifers registered a lower clearance rate compared to the rest of the market, at only 60pc for the 1669 head offered. Nationally, 200-280kg heifers average 5c higher, at 692c. A line of 108 Charbray cross backgrounder heifers 258kg at 12-18 months from Acton Cattle Co, Moranbah, Queensland, returned $1730/head or 672c/kg.

A further 80 of their lighter and younger steer herd-mates, Charbray x Santa types 183kg at 8-12 months, made 919c/kg, while 114 of their heifer siblings averaging 191kg 768.8c.

This line of 108 Charbray cross backgrounder heifers 258kg at 12-18 months from Acton Cattle Co, Moranbah, QLD, returned $1730/head or 672c/kg. A further 80 of their lighter and younger steer herd-mates, Charbray x Santa types 183kg at 8-12 months, made 919c/kg, while 114 of their heifer siblings averaging 191kg made 768.8c.

Breeding cattle

PTIC heifers were again the largest category in the market, with the 3208 head offered selling to a 70pc clearance.

The PTIC heifer category for the week averaged 36c/kg or $66 higher, at $3119 head, while PTIC cows lifted 7c, to average $2888/head or 516c/kg – with an 84pc clearance for the 1817 head offered. From Armidale, NSW, a line of 88 Angus PTIC heifers averaging 440kg at 18-19 months and joined to Angus bulls returned $3200/head or 727-731c/kg.

Prices as at 2pm, Friday.

Source: AuctionsPlus

 

 

 

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