Weekly Cattle Comments - 11.03.22

It was another mixed week of results through AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales, with total numbers slipping below 21,000 head for the first time since early February, hitting 19,127 head for the week. A slightly weaker light cattle market was offset by increased feeder steer prices, while increased supplies, quality and breeding were the main influences upon a cheaper breeder market.

The young cattle market was marginally softer this week for all but the heaviest lines, as the overall clearance rate edged higher, favoring the three heaviest categories. A significant reduction in 400kg+ lines, at only 506 head contributed to an improved clearance rate, hitting 91% for the week, while the average for the week jumped $66, to $2,436/head.

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Weekly Cattle Prices

Through the 280-330kg lines, the 84% clearance rate for the 1,465 head offered helped to sustain prices, averaging only $1 lower on the previous week, at $2,035/head. From Roma, Southern Queensland, 50 weaned Shorthorn steers sold to very strong bidding, with the 6–8-month-old line, averaging 294.3kg/head selling to $2,170/head, or 737c/kg lwt.

330-400kg steers averaged $3 lower for the week, at $2,235/head. Out of Bendemeer, Northern NSW, 48 Poll Hereford steers reached $2,370/head, or 621.7c/kg lwt. The 16–18-month-old line averaged 381.2kg/head. The lighter 200-280kg category slipped back $36 on the previous week, to $1,923/head – with a 79% clearance rate for the 2,158 head offered.

Compared to the young steer market, the light heifer market was a bit more active, with large average price changes through all categories. 200-280kg heifers jump $105 on last week, to average $1,842/head, with a subdued 60% clearance rate for the 1,691 head offered. 280-330kg heifers averaged $80 higher for the week, at $1,992/head, while in contrast, 330-400kg lines averaged $34 lower, at $2,130/head.

Similar to their male counterparts, 400kg+ heifers edged higher on the back of a sharp supply contraction, finishing the week at $2,476/head – with an 88% clearance rate for the 599 head offered

Proven breeding lines took a step back this week, with clearance rates through the PTIC segment of the market well down on previous weeks. With an increased offering of 3,435 head, PTIC heifers slipped back $209/head on last week, to average $2,990/head – with only a 49% clearance rate at the conclusion of the sale.

PTIC cows also took a step back this week, with numbers up 21% on last week, at 2,289 head. With the increased supply and cautious bidding, with a 44% clearance rate, average prices for the week slipped $205 on last week, to finish at $2,787/head.
Out of Dingo, Central Queensland, 42 Brahman cows and 42 CAF sold to $3,640/head. With the cows averaging 493.6kg liveweight and ranging from 4-11 years of age, the calves ranged from 48-198kg liveweight, averaging 109kg.

NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 11th March 2022