There was another large offering of cattle through AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales this week, with total numbers jumping 5% on the previous week, to 20,110 head. While the heaviest populated steer and heifer categories edged higher on last week, there was some volatility through the less populated lighter lines as quality and breed dominated.
The past two weeks of sales has seen some of the “froth and frenzy” leave the market, with clearance rates and bidding activity returning to more “normal” levels. While still at historically high levels, the EYCI has fluctuated between a high of 1,134c/kg cwt and low of 1,105c/kg cwt since the start of February – an amazing tight seven-week range considering the movement over the past year. Reports of producers “getting their cheque books ready” for the upcoming weaner and calf selling season may partly explain some of the reduced activity, along with some drier weather through key southern regions, placing concerns about the direction of the season back on the table.
Through the mid-weight steer lines, 280-330kg steers averaged $77 higher on last week, averaging $2,112/head, with a 71% clearance rate for the 2,045 head offered. In contrast, the heavier 330-400kg lines slipped back $45, to average $2,190/head, with a below-average clearance rate of 64% for the 2,615 head offered. Out of Macorna, Northern Victoria, 43 Speckle Park/Angus c
ross weaned steers, averaging 333.2kg/head, sold to $2,100/head.
Heavy steers averaged $16 higher for the week, at $2,452/head, with the comparatively small offering of 1,208 head registering a 55% clearance rate. Out of Harefield NSW Riverina, a line of 46 Angus feeder steers, averaging 503.6kg/head sold to 575.8c/kg liveweight – equating
to $2,899.80/head.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Price
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Weekly Cattle Prices
Young heifers again attracted plenty of pre-auction catalogue views, especially through the two heaviest categories, with potential future breeders attracting plenty of attention. 330-400kg heifers averaged $43 higher on last week, at $2,173/head, with a 75% clearance rate for the 1,714 head offered. From Quilpie Western Queensland, a line of 65 Droughtmaster/Composite heifers, averaging 382.1kg liveweight and ranging between 14-24 months of age, sold to $1,950/head, or 510.3c/kg liveweight.
280-330kg heifers also attracted plenty of pre-auction a
ttention, albeit with the final clearance rate only reaching 59%, as buyers remained cautious at the lighter weights. Prices for the category averaged $86 higher on last week, at $2,078/head. 200-280kg heifers finished the week $102 lower, averaging $1,740/head, with a line of 144 Droughtmaster heifers out of Richmond North Queensland, averaging 260.5kg liveweight, selling to $1,860/head.
Prices for the largest of the proven breeding lines averaged higher this week, albeit with lower clearance rates, as many buyers remain cautious. 2,967 PTIC heifers sold to very selective buying, with the 44% clearance rate at the immediate closure of the sale expected to slowly rise in coming days. PTIC heifers averaged $213/head higher this week, at $3,203/head, making up much of the decline from last week. PTIC cow clearance rates also reflected some very cautious and researched buying, with a 59% clearance rate for the 1,533 head offered. PTIC cows averaged $299 higher for the week, at $3,086 head.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 18th March 2022
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Weekly Cattle Prices