AuctionsPlus is Australia’s largest cattle market, with throughput for the past twelve months of 829,397 head (1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021). In the most recent September quarter, AuctionsPlus had 218,189 head offered online – an increase of 15% on the same period in 2020.
Given the thorough assessment and listing criteria for AuctionsPlus cattle sales, quarterly breed specific pricing for the Australian cattle market is available for the first time. In this edition, the additional historical data, commencing at the start of 2016 has been added. The nine breeds included in the pricing tables are the nine largest in number offered through AuctionsPlus, with Angus making up the largest proportion. Breeds included are Angus, Brahman, Brangus, Charbray, Charolais, Droughtmaster, Hereford, Santa Gertrudis and Shorthorn.
A review of the Australian cattle markets performance through the September quarter of 2021 is simply astounding. The price movements across all categories have been consistent, with the “rapidly rising tide of the market lifting all breeds to record levels through the September quarter of 2021”. From bull sales to bobby calves, it is very possible that the third quarter of 2021 will be the summit of an eighteen-month price climb that has surpassed everyone’s expectations.
While varying across breeds and categories, most of the lines for the September quarter averaged 30-40% above the same period in 2020.
Four selected breeds and categories are briefly detailed below. For the full price series across the nine breeds selected, please click here to download.
Angus Station-Mated Cows with CAF
In the third quarter of 2021, SM Angus cows with CAF sold through AuctionsPlus, averaged $3,723/head – an increase of 36%, or $977/head, on the same period in 2020.
Since the low point for the category in the third quarter of 2018, the average quarterly price has increased 205%. This equates to an average increase in value of $833 annually since 2018, or over $200/head per quarter.
Droughtmaster Steers 280-330kg lwt
As one of the fastest growing breeds offered through AuctionsPlus in the past three years, 280-330kg Droughtmaster steers averaged $1,710/head during the third quarter of 2021 – 43.8% higher than the same period in 2020.
With all nine Droughtmaster categories for the September quarter up annually, the smallest increase was for PTIC heifers at 19% year-on-year, while the largest rise was for SM cows with CAF, up 69% annually.
Santa Gertrudis Heifers 280-330kg lwt
The lightest reported category of Santa Gertrudis heifers (200-280kg lwt) averaged $1,464/head during the September quarter – up 25% on the corresponding period in 2020.
With a low point of only $480/head in the first quarter of 2019, Santa Gertrudis heifer prices have increased 205% through to the third quarter of 2021.
Hereford PTIC Heifers
Hereford PTIC heifers averaged $2,393/head in the third quarter of 2021 – 40% above the same quarter in 2020. In contrast, the PTIC Hereford cow category averaged 27% above 2020 levels, at $2,447/head.
Along with light heifers, the PTIC heifer categories were the largest movers annually. Throughout the drought period in previous years, PTIC heifers fell to a low point of $862/head for the first quarter of 2019.