Among larger steer offerings this week, these 216 Droughtmaster weaned steers 268kg at 7-18 months from Richmond, Northwest Queensland made 503c/kg.

MOST steer and heifer categories showed an encouraging recovery in c/kg prices this week in online trading, although listing numbers fell sharply, by 37 percent to 10,642 head.

Numbers offered were well below the previous four-week average of 15,878 head.

The lighter offering brought some relief to clearance rates, which lifted eight percentage points to 72pc.

Steers saw 3431 head offered and an 85pc clearance rate. Heifers made up the largest share of the offering at 4998 head, though clearance was more subdued at 71pc.

Among steer categories with statistically significant offerings, steers 200-280kg cleared 87pc of the offering of 955 head, with prices lifting 17c to average 570c/kg.

Steers 280-330kg lifted 33c to average 579c, with the 1217 head offering clearing 95pc, while 330-400kg descriptions lifted 11c to average 539c, clearing 83pc of the 590 offered.

Feeder weight steers +400kg cleared only 57pc of the 535 offered, with prices up 13c to average 522c.

Steer highlights included 47 Angus steers 14-15 months averaging 385kg from Manypeaks, WA, returned 547c/kg or 2105/head and will travel to a buyer near Burra, SA.

Among larger steer offerings this week, 216 Droughtmaster weaned steers 268kg at 7-18 months from Richmond, Northwest Queensland made 503c/kg.

Heifers 200-280kg cleared 80pc of the 662 offered, averaging 480c, up 27c on last week.

The 280-330kg heifers added 13c to their value, averaging 475c, but cleared only 58pc of the 1333 offered. Heifers in the 330-400kg bracket, the single largest young cattle category with 2037 head offered, cleared at 69pc and averaged 479c/kg, up 5c.

Heavier heifers +400kg cleared 84pc of the 750 offered, with prices averaging 480c/kg.

From Benalla, VIC, 34 Angus heifers 13-14 months averaging 343kg returned 511c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Euroa, VIC.

Further north, 88 Angus NSM future breeders 172kg at 9-11 months from Glen Innes NSW made 650c/kg.

Breeding females

Breeding female clearance remained under pressure at 50pc, with 1916 head offered and 954 sold.

Among the large offerings, 641 NSM cows & calves were offered, clearing only 61pc, while prices were up $279 to average $2815. 445 NSM heifers and calves offered cleared only 32pc, with price easing $36 to average $3162. Prices fell $401 for an offering of 388 PTIC heifers, clearing 41pc, and averaging $1855, while station-mated heifers and calves lost $604 to average $2807, clearing 60pc.

From Mansfield, VIC, 39 Angus PTIC cows 5 years averaging 746kg returned $2780 and will travel to a buyer near Lavington, NSW.

Source: AuctionsPlus