These two even lines of 114 Droughtmaster cross EU-eligible steers 8-10 months averaging 270kg from Springsure, Central Queensland returned $991/head or 367c/kg on Friday.

YOUNG cattle prices showed a softer trend in online trading this week, despite a significant 12 percent decline in the AuctionsPlus offering to 10,499 head.

The smaller offering did little to support clearance rates, which slipping to 43pc.

Listings of feeder steers are starting to build, heading towards spring. There were 811 steers heavier than 400kg offered this week which is 135pc higher than the previous week and more than double the typical 200-400 head range seen since May.

There were 460 weaner steers less than 200kg offered this week, slipping 24c/kg on last week’s trade to average 325c/kg.

Steers 200-280kg registered a smaller offering this week of 1831 head and averaged 341c/kg, up 3c/kg on last week for a 62pc clearance. Prices ranged from 319-377c/kg. Two even lines of 114 Droughtmaster cross EU eligible steers 8-10 months averaging 270kg from Springsure, Central Queensland returned $991/head or 367c/kg.

Steers 280-330kg saw 958 head offered, with prices back 4c to average 338c.

Steers 330-400kg registered a smaller offering of 990 head and averaged 325c for a 53pc clearance. Prices ranged from 289-351c. From Glenhope, Victoria 62 Angus steers 11-12 months averaging 376kg returned 340c/kg.

Heifers

Heifers 200-280kg registered a smaller offering of 850 head and averaged $568/head or 225c/kg – down $51 or 37c/kg from last week for a 23pc clearance. Prices ranged from 202-334c. From Lyndhurst, NSW 49 Angus heifers 7-11 months averaging 279kg returned $700or 251c/kg.

Heifers 330-400kg registered a smaller offering of 693 head and averaged 278c, down 9cfrom last week for a 28pc clearance. Prices ranged from 242-323c. From Moura, Central Queensland 56 Santa heifers 20-23 months averaging 380kg returned $1020 or 268c/kg.

Breeding females

PTIC heifers registered a larger offering of 687 head and averaged $1207/head – down $102 from last week for a 30pc clearance. A line of 40 Brahman heifers 18-36 months averaging 562kg from Ogmore, QLD returned $1330.

PTIC cows registered a larger offering of 581 head and averaged $1405/head – up $251 from last week for a 7pc clearance. From Peranga, Southern Queensland 30 Droughtmaster cows 3-7 years averaging 578kg returned $1420/head.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 18 August

Source: AuctionsPlus