Weekly Cattle Comments - Week ending Friday 19th January

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle offerings lifted again this week, rising 43% to 11,281 head. Clearance remained strong at 85%, up on the 78% clearance of this time last week. Given last week's ultimate clearance of 87% following post-auction sales, the trend is looking very positive. Value over reserve also showed a positive increase, up $21 to $151. 

Liveweight (LW) prices per head were strong for almost every category for steers and heifers, with breeding stock more of a mixed bag. With the exception of steers under 200kg, clearance was very strong with heavy steers in the 400kg plus range rebounding from last week's 7% fall to post a 9% gain in price for a 99% clearance.

In contrast to sub 200kg steers, sub 200kg heifers were in high demand, with the smaller offering of 146 head achieving a 100% clearance rate and a 32% lift in average LW price. There was a strong offering across heifers in the 200kg - 400kg weight range with clearance around 86% and good price rises in two categories.

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard

Steers

There were 5010 head offered on AuctionsPlus this week, with the largest offering in the 330-400kg range which achieved a clearance of 98%. 

Steers in the 330-400kg category averaged $1,346/head, with prices ranging from 282 - 403c and averaged 366c/kg lwt — a rise of 4%. From St George, QLD a line of 91 Angus Cross steers aged 12 to 15 months old and weighing 348kg returned $1330/head, or 382c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Upper Bingara, NSW.

The next largest offering was for steers 280-330kg with 1,390 head — triple the offering on last week — for an average $1,214/head and an 88% clearance. Prices ranged from 295 - 439c and averaged 401c/kg lwt, also a 4% rise. From Texas NSW, two lines of 102 Angus steers aged 11 to 12 months and weighing 320kg returned $1388/head, or 434c/kg lwt. One line will travel to a buyer in Tamworth, NSW and other to Toobeah QLD.

Steers 200-280kg and 400kg+ were the standout in terms of price and clearance, both up 9% in terms of average liveweight prices and with clearances of 94% and 99% respectively.

Weiner & Yearlings listings and purchases

Heifers

Female stock joined the market in large numbers this week, with a 50% rise over last week to 3,410 head. In particular, the 400kg + category was significantly up, rising 232% to 378 head. Despite the larger offering, every article sold, and prices lifted by $90 on last week to $1363.

From Cooma, NSW a line of 15 Angus heifers aged 15 to 16 months and weighing 456kg returned $2220/head, or 487c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Bega, NSW.

Heifers 200-280kg registered a larger offering of 970 head and averaged $783/head - up $34 from last week for a 85% clearance. Prices ranged from 237-395c and averaged 324c/kg lwt. From Willow Tree, NSW a line of 29 Angus heifers aged 6.5 to 8.5 months and weighing 205kg returned $810/head, or 395c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Mendooran, NSW.

Heifers 280-330kg continued their strong run in terms of offering, up 50% to 983. Despite the volume increase, clearance reached 87%. Prices stayed relatively flat week on week ranging from 245-497c and averaging 321c/kg lwt. From Meandarra, QLD a line of 56 Angus/UltraBlack heifers aged 13 to 15 months and weighing 326kg returned $1205/head, or 370c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Glen innes, NSW.

Breeding stock

After last week's 40% increase in offered stock, breeding articles fell back this week in most categories with the exception of PTIC Heifers and station mated cows and calves.

SM Cows & Calves registered a larger offering of 424 head, up over 400% from the 78 head offered last week. The higher volume met a still-healthy 76% clearance while prices dipped $51 to 1,809/head. From Upper Horton, NSW a line of 37 Droughtmaster cross cows aged 36 to 41 months and weighing 391kg returned $1740/head, or 445c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Goondiwindi, QLD.

PTIC Heifers registered a larger offering of 1,079 head and averaged 1,823/head -  down $68 from last week for a 48% clearance. From Inverell, NSW a line of 14 Angus heifers aged 20 to 22 months and weighing 442kg returned $2500/head, or 566c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer from Dee Why, NSW.

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 19th January 2024

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report