AuctionsPlus commercial cattle numbers fell 5% this week, totaling 16,702 head, with overall demand reducing by 19 percentage points to register a 54% clearance rate. The price over reserve kicked up $26 to average $110 above set reserve rates, and the benchmark steer price indicator lifted 7% to average $1,179/head. The AuctionsPlus Young Cattle Indicator was flat on last week at 362c/kg liveweight. The sold-during-auction premium continues to widen against post-auction sales, with sold-at-auction averaging 25% above post-sale results this week.
Listings mainly came from NSW this week, with the 8,306 head representing an 18% increase on last week and making up 50% of the total offering. Queensland was the second highest listing state, with 4,638 head offered, which was down 9% on last week.
Processor activity was fairly subdued this week, with 5.20%, or 464 head, of the sold offering being secured by processor buyers. Of the articles processors did buy, they were mainly interested in steer lines in the 280-330kg range.
The weaner steer-to-heifer price gap continues to widen, with weaner steers seeing a 22% price premium over their heifer counterparts this week. This is the highest gap recorded on AuctionsPlus since 2016.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard
Steers registered a strong price rally this week, with prices increasing $25 - $345 across four of the categories, with only one category falling in price. Steers above 400kg represented the largest of the gains, with the 804 head lifting $345 to average $1,819/head. The category saw selective purchasing with a 38% clearance rate. From Walcha, NSW, a line of 75 Angus steers aged 20-22 months old and weighing 469kg returned $1,936/head, or 413c/kg liveweight, and will travel to a buyer in Orange, NSW.
Steers 280-330kg lifted $73 this week to average $1,179/head for the 2,173 head. Demand was strong for the mid-weight category with a 75% clearance rate. From Armidale, a line of 29 Angus steers aged 12 months old and weighing 323kg returned $1,260/head, or 390c/kg liveweight, and will travel to a buyer in NSW.
Heifer prices were two up and two down this week, with 330-400kg heifers seeing the largest gains of $143 to average $1,212/head for the tight 607 head on offer. From Lake mundi, VIC a line of 126 Angus heifers aged 14 - 15 months and weighing 357kg returned $1,240/head, or 348c/kg lwt.
The most populous heifer category was the 200-280kg weight range with 2,080 head on offer, with the category seeing strong demand of 71%. Prices also were stronger this week, with the category lifting $19 on last week to average $771/head. From Walcha, NSW a line of 80 Angus heifers aged 9 - 10 months old and weighing 267kg returned $1,130/head, or 424c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Walcha, NSW.
Breeding stock were mixed this week with four out of the seven categories recording price rises this week. The rises were led by SM cows which recorded a $288 weekly rise to average $1,821/head for the 996 head. From Lindenow South, VIC a line of 45 Angus cows aged 2 years old and weighing 505kg returned $2,170/head, or 430c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Mungindi, QLD.
PTIC heifers saw 1,1226 on offer this week, with prices falling by $96/head to average $1,505/head. From Tamworth, NSW a line of 11 Angus/Angus heifers aged 24 to 26 months old and weighing 546kg returned $2020/head, or 370c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in Binnaway, NSW
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 24th May 2024
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
AuctionsPlus Angus Table
AuctionsPlus Queensland Table
AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report