Fuel to the fire – lowest cattle offering in three months

With the Australian cattle market at full stride, the lowest online commercial cattle offering in the past three months is expected to add fuel to the price inferno, with only 12,951 head catalogued across the two sales. With the 20% reduction in supplies for this week driven primarily by the recent widespread rain across key regions, with the addition of a short week in some states, the competition for the condensed offerings is expected to spark “boxing-day sale level aggression” for the best lines.

Given the reduced numbers this week, there will only be one Weaner & Yearling sale held, commencing at 9am EST. With just over 10,000 head listed through 267 lots, the largest component of the sale will be for weaners, with 3,905 catalogued. Following last week’s patchy price and clearance result through the lightest steer and heifer categories, the extremely tight supplies on offer this week are expected to boost clearance rates, provided vendors expectations remain achievable.

For the proven breeding lines on offer in the Eastern States Cattle Sale, commencing at 10am, numbers are back 44% on last week, at only 2,941 head. While always dependent upon bloodlines, age and vendors reserve levels, the 1,253 head of cows with CAF to be offered are expected to meet robust buyer interest, especially as the seasonal and price outlook remain buoyant. Last week the average clearance rate for cows with CAF ranged between 77-90%.

Weaner & Yearling Sale – commencing 9am EDST

Lot 473 – 46 purebred Wagyu backgrounder heifers from Emerald, Central Queensland. These unjoined heifers are 5–13 months of age, averaging 195.9kg liveweight.

Lot 504 and 505 – From Dirranbandi, southern Queensland. Lot 504 consists of 31 Aberdeen Angus feeder steers which are 16–22 months of age and average 508.9kg liveweight. Lot 505 contains 93 mixed breed feeder steers, which are 18–21 months of age and weigh 506kg liveweight.

Lot 524 and 525 – “Tulla Rula Partnership” is offering two lines of Angus weaned steers and heifers from Bundarra, NSW Northern Tablelands. The steer portion, lot 524, consisting of 55 head, are EU accredited, Booroomooka blood, 6–7 months of age and average 260kg. The heifers, lot 525, are also Booromooka blood and EU accredited, range in age between 6–7 months and average 253.1kg.

Lot 603 – 5 NSM future breeder Limflex/Angus cross heifers from Junee, Riverina. These heifers are 12–13 months of age and weigh 342kg liveweight.

Lot 632 – 11 NSM future breeder Poll Hereford heifers from Cohuna, Northern Victoria. Averaging 362.7kg liveweight and 15-18 months of age, these heifers have also been offered “buy now” for $2,200/head.

Lot 697 to 700 – From Simpson, SW Victoria, is an offering of 101 weaned Friesian steers across 4 lots. These steers range in age between 4–8 months and average 131.5kg to 210.5kg liveweight.

Lot 708 and 709 – From Tintinara, Upper SE SA, is an offering of two lines of Angus steer and heifer calves. The steer portion, lot 708, average 309.3kg liveweight, with the 42 head ranging in age between 6-8 months. The heifers, lot 709, are also 6 – 8 months of age and weigh 288.5kg liveweight for the 46 head.

Lot 714 to 716 – From Broome, Kimberley WA. “Anna Plains Station” are offering 756 backgrounder Brahman cross heifers. These heifers average 203.6-206.8kg and are 14–20 months of age.

Eastern States Cattle Sale – commencing 10am EDST

Lot 806 – 65 Brahman cross PTIC cows from Duaringa, Central Queensland. These cows are in calf to Brangus sires, are 4–8 years of age and average 463.4kg liveweight.

Lot 879 – 23 NSM Charolais/Hereford cows and 23 calves from Gulgong, Central West NSW. The cows are 3.5–4 years of age and average 574kg liveweight. The calves at foot are 6–8 months of age and averaged 248kg live.

Lot 908 – From Moyhu, NE Victoria, 23 PTIC Angus cows weighing 677.6kg and ranging in age between 5–7.5 years. These EU cows are in calf to both Witherswood and Jarobee Angus bulls.

Lot 935 to 939 – “Mona Vale Holdings Pty Ltd” are offering 130 Angus PTIC heifers from Ross, Tasmania across 5 lots. These heifers weigh between 531.4 and 605.9kg liveweight, 29–30 months of age and are PTIC to Landfall sires.

Lot 950 – 36 station mated Hereford cross cows and calves from Quorn, Mid & Upper North SA. The cows average 437kg liveweight and range between 2-7 years of age. The calves at foot range from 1-5 months of age and average 145kg liveweight.