Cattle numbers tight again as disruptions increase

The supply of cattle booked in for tomorrows AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales remains seasonally tight, as the fallout from the wettest November in over a century continues to both frustrate and entice producers. With just over 15,000 head catalogued across the two sales, competition is again anticipated to be fierce, with another very large registration of bidders expected, following last week’s 34% weekly increase in auction participants.

Flooding and access will be a major concern for many livestock producers through the eastern states, especially for those looking to unload very lucrative cattle prior to the Christmas break. On the enticing front however, the record wet November has only served to consolidate an already confident seasonal outlook, with reports of additional producers furiously chasing light cattle into early summer.

While every category of cattle seems to be sizzling, the primary focus will continue to be upon the lighter steer and heifer lines this week, especially into southern Queensland. The Weaner & Yearling Sale (commencing at 9am EDST) has 8,295 head scheduled this week, with the 200-280kg segment again expected to account for the largest component of both the young steer and heifer markets. For the Eastern States Sale (commencing at 10am EDST), the overall numbers have edged higher again, at just over 4,700 head.

As a side note, an interesting comparison between the offerings of young cattle for the first week of December in 2019 and 2021 can be seen below. The first week of December 2019 was almost the deepest point of the drought, as fires simultaneously raged across several states – with the sale of all types of cattle widespread, and in many instances forced due to water scarcity. In the first week of December 2019, 200-280kg steers averaged $680/head, while steers 400kg+ averaged $1,361/head. PTIC heifers averaged $1,530/head in the first week of December 2019.

WEANER & YEARLING SALE – 9am EDST

• Lot 650 – 230 NSM future breeder Brahman heifers from Katherine, Northern Territory. These 9–18-month-old heifers range in weight between 129–330kg and average 208kg liveweight.

• Lot 670 – From Winton Wigton, Southern Queensland, 17 weaned Braford mixed sexes, weighing 255.6kg liveweight and ranging in age between 5–9 months.

• Lot 745 – 51 Angus feeder steers from Mudgee, Central West NSW. These vendor bred EU steers are 13–15 months of age and weigh 436.4kg liveweight.

• Lot 862 and 863 – From Strathewen, Metropolitan Victoria, A/c “Happy L Group” have two lines of F1 Wagyu/Angus weaned steers and heifers. The steer portion (lot 862) offered as a line of 13 are 8–9 months of age and average 264.5kg liveweight. The 18 heifers (lot 863) are the same age, averaging 237.1kg liveweight.

• Lot 907 – 26 weaned Angus/Poll Hereford cross mixed sexes from Whitwarta, Mid & Upper South Australia. These weaners are 6–8 months of age and average 294.4kg liveweight.

EASTERN STATES CATTLE SALE – 10am EDST

• Lot 126 – 25 Santa Gertrudis cross PTIC cows from Warwick, Southern Queensland. These cows are 3–9 years of age, weigh 551.2kg liveweight and are joined to a Santa Gertrudis bull.

• Lot 208 – 26 PTIC Angus heifers from Carrathool, Riverina NSW. These joined Rennylea and Twynam blood heifers are 18–20 months old and weigh 465.4kg liveweight.

• Lot 240 – 26 SM Poll Shorthorn cows and calves from Echuca, Northern Victoria. The cows are 3–9 years of age and 635kg liveweight, while the calves at foot are 2–3 months and 162kg liveweight.

• Lot 344 – 46 Angus/Angus/Hereford cross cows and calves from Jamestown, Mid & Upper North SA. The cows are 4–9 years and weigh 482.4kg liveweight, while the calves at foot are 1–4 months and 139kg.