AuctionsPlus cattle offerings this week totaled 15,775 head – which was 19% lower on last weeks’ 10 week high of 19,477 head. Seasonally offerings were still well above the corresponding week last year, up 42.6%, with overall average clearance rates remaining very strong even in the wake of the higher annual numbers.
While most prices across the key indicative categories declined this week, they are still well above any previous period on record, especially for the lightest lines. The largest category offered this week, steers 200-280kg lwt, with 2,068 head registered, averaged $72 higher for the week, at $1,536/head – with an 82% clearance rate. Consolidating the average for the week was a line of 125 weaned Shorthorn steers out of Tambo, Queensland. At 6-8 months old, the average weight for the 125 head was 219.2kg liveweight – selling to $1,560/head, or the equivalent of 1,520.5c/kg cwt.
Even with a 97% clearance rate for the 1,489 head offered, steers 330-400kg slipped back $124 on last week, to average $1,885/head, while the lighter 280-330kg segment slipped $109, to average $1,690/head. A very limited selection of heavy steers had the 400kg+ category up $15 on last week, averaging $2,166/head. Out of Condobolin, NSW, 75 Angus feeder steers, averaging 409kg, sold to 596.6c/kg lwt, or $2,440/head.
Excellent clearance rates were again registered this week for the five young heifer categories, ranging from 85% for 1,823 head of 280-330kg lines, to 96% for the very limited supply of under 200kg heifers. 330-400kg heifers averaged $41 lower this week, at $1,945/head, while the heaviest lines averaged $102 lower, at $2,015/head – albeit with only 301 head offered.
The majority of the breeding lines took a step back this week – reflective largely of quality and some reported buyer hesitancy. The 1,388 PTIC heifers offered this week went against the trend, edging $16 higher, to $2,452/head – with a subdued 60% clearance rate for the 1,388 head offered. PTIC cows averaged $33 lower for the week, at $2,386/head, while the 596 head of SM cows with CAF lost most of last weeks gains, dropping $98, to average $3,012/head.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 6th August, 2021.