Weekly Cattle Comments - Week ending Friday 23rd February

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle offerings fell 11% to 18,343 head compared to last week's  20,584, but the market's appetite didn't lift on the reduced number. Clearance came in at 54%, which is a 5% drop on the same time last week. Benchmark steer prices have held steady, and clearances across most steer categories are good. Value over reserve is up $7 on post-sale calculation but down $27 on this time last week. Females failed to fire in terms of clearance this week, struggling to pass 50% across many categories.

Processors were only half as active as last week.

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

Steers

Steer listings dropped in every weight class with the exception of Steers 200-280kg which rose by 6% to 1,385 head. 78% of the stock sold at an average of $1,048/head — down $23 from last week. Prices ranged from 312 - 528c and averaged 434c/kg lwt. From Texas, NSW a line of 73 Angus steers aged 10 to 12 months and weighing 257kg returned $1190/head, or 463c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Goondiwindi, QLD.

Steers 400kg + registered a smaller offering of 1,355 head and with processors less active, averaged $1,574/head — down $17 from last week for a 49% clearance. 

Steers 280-330kg were in the highest demand as listings fell 9% to 1,802 head. Clearance was an encouraging 85% and prices lifted to $18 on average to $1,246/head and 402c/kg lwt, ranging from 286 - 478c/kg lwt. From Emerald, QLD a line of 72 Droughtmaster steers aged 12 to 16 months and weighing 284kg returned $1150/head, or 405c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Blackwater, QLD.

Heifers

Heifer listings were all back this week, while clearance was middling and prices mostly drifted lower.

Heifers 200-280kg performed better than last week with 14% a smaller offering of 2,047 head but prices rose $15 on average to $804/head. Clearance was 34% but that was an improvement on last week's 20% clearance. Prices ranged from 238 - 396c and averaged 319c/kg lwt. From Willow Tree, NSW a line of 42 Charolais/Angus heifers aged 6 to 7 months and weighing 215kg returned $720/head, or 335c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Moss vale, NSW.

Heifers 280-330kg registered a 20% smaller offering of 1,128 head and averaged $956/head — down $48 from last week for a 53% clearance. Prices ranged from 233 - 599c and averaged 308c/kg lwt. From Orange, NSW a line of 25 Angus heifers aged 9 to 10 months old and weighing 317kg returned $1900/head, or 599c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Garra, NSW.

Breeding stock

A big jump in listings of breeding stock did little to excite the market, with low clearances in most categories. Prices were mostly higher, however.

PTIC Heifers registered a 56% larger offering of 2,304 head and averaged 1,722/head — down $6 from last week. Clearance was a disappointing 27%. From Inverell, NSW a line of 44 Angus heifers aged 17 to 22 months and weighing 392kg returned $1560/head, or 398c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Gilgandra, NSW.

SM Cows & Calves registered a 21% larger offering of 1,411 head and averaged $2,266/head — up $120 from last week for a 37% clearance. From Ashford, NSW a line of 51 Angus/Angus cows aged 25 to 27 months old and weighing 369kg returned $2370/head, or 643c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Collarenebri, NSW

The big jump in price came from station-mated heifers which saw prices lift $238 on last week. The 12% larger offering of 436 head averaged $1,472/head for a 42% clearance. From Ardlethan, NSW a line of 70 Santa Gertrudis/Droughtmaster heifers aged 14 to 16 months old and weighing 374kg returned $1510/head, or 404c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Yarrawonga, VIC.

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 23rd February 2024

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report