There were some big price movements through the AuctionsPlus cattle categories this week, as the heavy steer and heifer lines took a substantial hit, while selected breeding lines registered steady gains. Overall offerings this week fell 21%, to 15,725 head, with some good falls through the eastern states simultaneously reducing supplies and refreshing buyer demand through the lighter lines, with clearance rates very high through the mid-weight steer lines.
The standout changes this week was the decline in prices for the heaviest category of both steers and heifers – with both losing all last week’s strong gains. While only 359 heavy steers (400kg+) were offered, compared to 1,249 head last week, this week’s average price contracted $234, or 11%, to average $1,818/head. For the very limited number of heavy heifers, the average price dropped 15%, or $296, to average $1,620/head.
The largest number of steers this week was offered in the 200-280kg category, with the 1,416 head registering a 96% clearance rate and averaging $1,487 – down $4/head on last week. With similar clearance rates, 280-330kg steers averaged $29 higher on last week, at $1,653/head – with a 92% clearance rate for the 1,261 head offered. Into the 330-400kg lines, with the 1,166 head registering an 89% clearance rate, the average price for the week jumped $54, to $1,787/head.
In contrast to the decline for the heaviest heifer category, 200-280kg heifers averaged $52 higher on the previous week, at $1,344/head – with a subdued 64% clearance rate for the 1,752 head offered. 330-400kg heifers registered a 95% clearance rate for the 1,014 head offered – averaging $54/head higher on last week.
The online cow market was largely stronger this week, with PTIC cows $105 higher on last week, averaging $2,471/head – with an 86% clearance rate for the 2,146 head offered. Out of Richmond, Queensland, an offering of 154 station mated Santa cows with 154 CAF sold to $2,230/head – with the cows averaging 470.2kg liveweight and ranging from 3-14 years of age. Similarly, 88 PTIC Beefmaster cows out of Julia Creek, Queensland, sold to $1,670/head – averaging 519.6kg liveweights and ranging from 3-14 years of age. Further south in Queensland, 72 PTIC Charbray cross heifers out of Condamine sold to $2,230/head – averaging 434.1kg liveweight and between 20-32 months of age.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 4th June 2021.
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