Weekly Cattle Comments - 21.01.22

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales this week continued to see a steady rise in offerings, with the first signs of some buyer caution evident through the young steer lines, with prices softer and clearance rates below late 2021 levels for the second consecutive week. With 17,262 head offered across the three main commercial sales this week, PTIC heifers continued to be the largest single category, with 2,540 head offered, followed by 330-400kg steers, with 2,318 head.

All five young cattle categories registered lower prices this week in c/kg terms, with only the lightest lines averaging higher in dollar per head terms. For the heaviest populated 330-400kg category, prices registered the smallest fall, down $7 on last week, to average $2,213/head, with an 84% clearance rate for the 2,318 head offered. From Charters Towers, Queensland, a line of 252 14-22-month-old HGP free Brahman/Brahman cross steers, weighing 333kg liveweight, returned $2,010/head, or 603c/kg liveweight.

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

200-280kg steers averaged $77 cheaper this week, at $1,762/head, while 280-330kg lines dropped $93, to average $2,006/head. 400kg plus steers averaged $2,428/head this week, or 541c/kg lwt – down $71, or 9c/kg on last week.

The light heifer 200-280kg liveweight category registered the strongest upward movement this week, jumping $218, to average $1,830/head – with a 97% clearance rate for the 811 head offered. 1,450 head of 280-330kg heifers sold to steady demand, registering an 80% clearance rate, with the category averaging $98 higher for the week, at $1,987/head.

Demand for proven breeding lines continues to be robust, with pre-auction catalogue views continuing to be extremely high. With final prices always largely dependent upon age and bloodline, PTIC cow prices averaged $81 higher this week, at $3,120/head – with a 93% clearance rate for the 1,486 head offered. In contrast, the 2,540 head of PTIC heifers sold to comparatively weaker demand from last week, easing $170, to average $3,140/head. From Guyra NSW, a line of 92 PTIC Droughtmaster cross heifers aged 18-22 months old and averaging 442.9kg liveweight, returned $3,140/head. Joined to Angus bulls, the heifers were offered with extended payment terms of 150 days.

Amazing prices continue to be paid for top-shelf breeders, especially with calves-at-foot. A line of 52 station mated Angus cows and calves from Coolatai, NSW, returned $4,580/head this week – selling $980 over their reserve price. Joined to Angus bulls, the cows were aged 3-11 years and averaged 665.8kg liveweight. The calves-at-foot ranged in age from 2-20 weeks of age, averaging 128kg liveweight.

NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 21^st January 2022