It was another busy week for AuctionsPlus cattle sales, with the total offering jumping 10% on last week, to 18,642 head. While catalogue views and bidder enrolments remained very high, price changes and clearance rates for the week were the most volatile experienced for several months, with an increasing distance developing between vendors and buyers through the breeding lines.
For the young steer lines prices increased through the three lightest categories, with the 1,341 head of 200-280kg steers selling to a 100% clearance rate – averaging $18 higher on last week, at $1,617/head. 280-330kg steer just missed the perfect clearance rate, with 98% of the 1,325 head selling – averaging $38 higher, at $1,956/head.
There continues to be excellent demand for 400kg+ steers, with a comparatively large 1,104 head offered for the week selling to a 92% clearance rate and averaging 530c/kg lwt – which was back 14c. An indicative line of 48 Angus feeder steers out of Staghorn Flat, Northeast Victoria, averaging 479kg, sold to 578.8c/kg liveweight this week, equating to $2,772/head. Similarly, 66 Angus feeder steers from Adjungbilly, Southwest Slopes and Plains of NSW, sold to 587.5c/kg liveweight – averaging 411.9kg/head and ranging from 11-12 months of age.
Within the young heifer lines, the largest category, 330-400kg, sold $111 cheaper, averaging $1,971/head – with a 96% clearance rate for the 1,956 head offered.
With plenty of confidence for the year ahead, interest for PTIC heifers continues to be robust, albeit with weekly clearance rates continuing to hinge upon vendors expectations and reserves. With a 58% jump in offerings this week, to 2,426 head, the clearance rate for the category fell to only 40% - with the average price dropping 13% on last week, to $2,223/head. PTIC cows registered a similar decline in both price and clearance rates, finishing at $2,274/head - again highlighting a growing standoff between vendors expectations and buyers’ limitations.
41 Angus PTIC heifers out of Euroa, Northeast Victoria, sold to $2,650/head – averaging 414kg liveweight at 23-24 months of age. One of the best results of today’s Eastern States sale was the $4,350/unit paid for a line of 27 SM heifers with 27 CAF. The Red Angus line was out of Woomargama, Riverina NSW, with the heifers averaging 468.1kg liveweight at 27-28 months of age, while the CAF average 139kg/head.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 17th September, 2021.