Stock levels continued their strong start to the year on AuctionsPlus with the number of head listed crossing 20,000 this week. In 2023, with the exception of the penultimate sale in December, no single week crossed the 20,000-head mark. This week, volume rose 6% to total 20,585 although the higher offering did not receive widespread support to deliver a clearance of 56%. Based on last week's activity, expect lots of post-sale trade to take place.
Last week's snapshot as at 2pm Friday, 9th of February
As the above table shows, last week the end of sale clearance was 61% with a value over reserve of $107. Looking at the top dashboard, the clearance for last week rose to 75% — a jump of 14 points, in post sale negotiations. That pushed value over reserve down to $82 from a post-sale snapshot VOR of $107. Clearly there are still buyers at the right price point.
Last week's results after post-sale negotiations
This week all the positive action in terms of listings came from New South Wales and South Australia but they weren't net buyers, while Queensland saw a significant drop in terms of both purchases and listings, likely due to the recent weather.
Across the platform, there were price drops across most categories with only mid-weight steers holding up in terms of price. Heifers in the 280-330kg range rose almost 10% but every other category for heifers dropped a similar amount.
Breeding stock continues to be challenged, with the exception of PTIC cows which held firm in the face of a 38% rise in head offered. A very firm line of NSM Cows and Calves helped that category jump 49% in average price on a low base.
Processors were as active as last week, and continue to be a presence in the online market, buying almost twice the level of stock as last year.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Steers
Steers in the 280-330kg range were strongest in terms of listings, while prices were statistically insignificant in terms of change for every category except sub-$200 steers which fell 9% but were almost fully sold. Clearance rates were mostly supportive across the other categories.
Steers 280-330kg registered a larger offering of 1,982 head and averaged $1,232/head - up $17 from last week for a 68% clearance. Prices ranged from 310 - 427c and averaged 398c/kg lwt. From Baradine, NSW a line of 58 Angus steers aged 12 to 13 months and weighing 308kg returned $1230/head, or 400c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Goondiwindi, QLD
Steers 330-400kg registered a smaller offering of 2,224 head and averaged $1,320/head - down $40 from last week for a 51% clearance. Prices ranged from 311 - 397c and averaged 370c/kg lwt. From Mitchell, QLD a line of 59 Santa Gertrudis composite steers aged 15 to 17 months and weighing 375kg returned $1410/head, or 376c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Cunnamulla, QLD.
Heifers
It was not a good week for Heifers in the 200-280kg range where clearance was a poor 20%. All the other categories performed much more strongly however, with clearance between 63% and 84%. Prices were back 10% by and large.
Heifers 200-280kg registered a 20% larger offering of 2,380 head and averaged 789/head - down $48 from last week for a 20% clearance. Prices ranged from 226 - 1240c and averaged 325c/kg lwt. From Walcha, NSW a line of 102 Wagyu/Angus heifers aged 11 to 11 months and weighing 244kg returned $1000/head, or 409c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Bundarra, NSW.
Heifers 280-330kg registered a 17% larger offering of 1,408 head and averaged $1,016/head - up $ from last week for a 68% clearance. Prices ranged from 204 - 1095c and averaged 334c/kg lwt. From Mole river, NSW a line of 28 Brangus/Ultrablack heifers aged 12 to 14 months and weighing 292kg returned $1130/head, or 388c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Oakey, QLD.
Breeding stock
The pullback in breeding stock prices continued for another week clearances generally mixed and lower prices for most categories.
PTIC Heifers registered a 24% smaller offering of 1,480 head and averaged $1,839/head - down $96 from last week for a 34% clearance. By contrast, PTIC Cows near tripled in terms of offering to 1,237 head and averaged $1,755/head - up $38 from last week for a 57% clearance. From Holbrook, NSW a line of 61 Angus PTIC cows aged 2 to 3 years and weighing 510kg returned $2300/head, or 451c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Bathurst, NSW.
SM Cows & Calves registered a smaller offering of 1,165 head and averaged $2,194/head - down $50 from last week for a 43% clearance. From Wee Waa, NSW a line of 28 Shorthorn/Hereford Cross cows aged 3 to 7 years old and weighing 474kg returned $1770/head, or 373c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Bourke, NSW.
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 16th February 2024
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report
