The first AuctionsPlus cattle sales for the new financial year reflected the record sentiment in the physical markets, as the EYCI punched higher again this week, hitting 941.5c/kg cwt. The momentum of young cattle prices, underpinned by robust demand and very tight supplies, continues to appear unbreakable, fueled by further rain across much of the eastern states this week.
AuctionsPlus cattle throughput numbers contracted by 10% on last week, with 12,956 head listed online. A larger consignment of heavier and feeder steers was offered this week, with 330-400kg and 400kg+ steer categories listings increasing by 169% and 283%, respectively.
Smaller offerings were seen in four out of the five heifer categories this week. 200-280kg heifer listings contracted by 45%, while 400kg+ heifers saw a 62% decline in listings. Tightened supply and ongoing demand for young heifers buoyed prices, with a 12c/kg lift in the category this week, averaging 592c/kg. From Deniliquin, NSW, 85 Angus heifers averaging 236kg returned $1800/head -or 762c/kg lwt. The 9–10-month-old heifers will travel interstate to Pakenham, Victoria.
Heavy heifers weighing 400kgs+ also registered a lift in price and demand, with 100% clearance and a 25c price lift, to average 442c/kg lwt. A line of Angus feeder heifers from Tenterfield, NSW, averaging 415kg, experienced a wealth of bidding activity - selling $495 over reserve price, to return $2,154/head, or 519c/kg lwt.
Prices and demand for breeding stock accelerated this week, with PTIC heifer and cow categories both increasing by $60/head and $94/head, respectively. A line of 55 6-year-old Angus PTIC cows from Coolac, NSW, weighing 655kg returned $2,980/head. The cows were joined to Reiland Angus bulls and will travel south into Victoria.
Non-Station Mated (NSM) categories registered the largest price increases this week, with NSM cows and calves averaging $588/head higher than last week, at $3,223. NSM heifers and calves also averaged $403/head higher, with both categories achieving 100% clearance. A line of 5-7-year-old NSM Charolais cows weighing 610kgs, with CAF from Emerald, Queensland, returned $3,240/head and will travel south to Inverell, NSW. The calves aged 1-7 months were sired by Palgrove Ultra Black bulls and weighed 210kgs.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm Friday 2nd July, 2021.