AuctionsPlus commercial cattle offerings lifted to 23,775 head compared to last week’s numbers of 15,104, a surge of 44%. Clearance dropped on the larger offering, down to 56% from last week's 88%. This week's market saw a $34 slide in average value over reserve, which came in at $107 per head.
Paul Holm, General Manager of Network at AuctionsPlus said the lower clearance rates were indicative of a significantly larger yarding and opportunity sales testing the marketplace.
“I think by the time we get to Monday we will see a 10% increase in clearance rates,” Mr Holm said. “That could have been a little bit of reserve setting in hope, rather than what market expectations are.”
The market trended lower this week, pulling back some of last weeks gains, with all steer categories except steers 400kg and above falling in value, while heifers 280-330kg were the only category to rise in the heifer market. Breeding stock was 3 up and 6 down, as price and clearance variations were quite volatile.
Listing numbers were driven by NSW, representing 55% of the total numbers at 13,070 head, while Queensland and South Australia had the largest percentage increases on last week with 121% rise to 4,828 head and a 77% rise to 2,230 head, respectively.
The difference between set starts and reserves averaged a 6.26% gap, rising slightly on last week. Sold at auction premium rose by 26% this week with lots that sold during the auction selling for an average of $243/head higher than post sale lots and value over reserve for sold at auction lots was +$117, whereas lots the have been sold post sale averaged -$23.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Steers
This week, the highest offerings in the steer category were for steers 330-400kg which saw 2,929 head and registered a $28 loss to average $1,129/head. Although, on a cents per kilo basis the category was flat on last week at 314c. A line of 12 Angus steers averaging 373kg from Castra, TAS, sold for $1,410, which was $460 above reserve.
Steers 400kg and above was the only category to register stronger prices at $1,336/head representing a rise of $21. Prices ranged from 242c - 338c and averaged 300c. Clearance for the category was the lowest for all steers at 53%. From Moree, NSW a line of 75 Angus steers aged 14 to 15 months old and weighing 448kg returned $1,513/head, or 338c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Queensland.
Heifers
This week the highest offerings were in the weight range of 330-400kg with 2,524 head, as the larger offering impacted prices and clearance with the category falling $89 to average $937/head and returned a 47% clearance. From Inglewood, QLD a line of 12 Poll Hereford heifers aged 13 to 15 months old and weighing 384kg returned $1,500/head, or 390c/kg.
The 280-330kg category was the only category to rise on last week, fetching between $600 - $1,110 and averaged $899/head, increasing by $86. Clearance was the highest for all the heifer categories at 53%. From Eidsvold, QLD a line of 58 Santa Gertrudis heifers aged 19 to 22 months old and weighing 310kg cleared reserve by $270 to return $1,110/head, or 359c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Walgett, NSW.
Breeding stock
PTIC heifers registered a larger offering of 932 head and averaged $1,645/head - up $38 from last week for a 65% clearance. The number of lots offered increased by 27, from 17 to 44, a 73% increase from last week. From Laceby, VIC a line of 8 Angus PTIC heifers aged 21 to 22 months old weighing 626kg and in calf to Jade Park Angus bulls returned $2,280/head, and will travel to a buyer in NSW.
SM cows & calves registered a larger offering of 897 head, increasing by 159% on last week and averaged $1,813/head - down $184 from last week for a 60% clearance. From Glencoe, SA a line of 11 Angus cows aged 5.8 years and weighing 605kg returned $2,460/head. The 11 Limousin calves at foot comprise of seven steers and four heifers averaging 369kg, while the cows are in calf to Angus and Limousin bulls.
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 24th November 2023
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report