Commercial cattle listings on AuctionsPlus lifted strongly this week, rising 22% to 19,451 head. Despite the larger offering, the market held firm with a clearance rate of 83%. The AuctionsPlus Young Cattle Indicator climbed 18c to 574c/kg LW, while the value over reserve came in at $148/head, up $18 on last week.
A total of 16,048 head were sold, up 12% on the previous week, with 94% of head bid on and 9.8% sold above reserve, up 3 percentage points.
Steers were the standout category nationally, averaging 618c/kg LW across 8,275 head offered and clearing at 92%. The steer premium over heifers sat at 88c/kg. Light steers in the 0–200kg category led the price charts at 705c/kg LW on average, up 52c on the week, with the range spanning 462–865c. In dollar terms that translated to an average of $1,232/head. The 200–280kg steers averaged 623c, up 14c, while 280–330kg steers returned 610c, up 23c. The 330–400kg category averaged 599c, rising 55c week-on-week to average $2,147/head. Heavier steers over 400kg averaged 535c, easing 14c, and returned an average of $2,349/head on a 92% clearance. NSW steers were particularly well supported, with the 0–200kg category averaging 741c/kg LW on a 98% clearance, while the 330–400kg lines averaged 611c. Queensland steers in the 0–200kg band posted a strong 645c average on 100% clearance, up 129c, while the heavier 400kg-plus lines averaged 536c. Victorian steers in the 0–200kg category averaged 635c on a thin 19% clearance, while the 200–280kg lines cleared at 90% averaging 661c.
Heifers also performed solidly, averaging 530c/kg LW across 6,311 head with an 88% clearance rate. Light heifers in the 0–200kg band averaged 623c, up 52c, while the 200–280kg category averaged 510c, up 8c to return $1,253/head. The 280–330kg heifers eased 16c to average 512c, while 330–400kg heifers bounced 27c to average 536c and $1,927/head. Heifers over 400kg averaged 517c/kg LW. NSW heifers were exceptionally well supported, with the 330–400kg category averaging 573c on a 97% clearance and the 400kg-plus lines returning 557c on 100% clearance at $2,539/head. Queensland's 0–200kg heifers jumped 189c to average 604c on an 81% clearance. Victorian heifers in the 200–280kg band surged 94c to average 589c.
Breeding stock attracted 4,457 head at a 60% clearance and averaged $2,330/head across the range of $1,500–$3,360. Nationally, SM cows averaged $2,543/head on an 88% clearance, while SM heifers averaged $2,284/head on a 34% clearance, up $248 on the week. PTIC cows averaged $2,178/head with 77% clearance and PTIC heifers averaged $2,533/head on a 57% clearance. NSM cows averaged $1,783/head across a 100% clearance. Cow and calf units continued to attract strong interest with NSM cows and calves averaging $2,940/head and SM cows and calves returning $2,556/head on a 23% clearance, up $116 on the week. In NSW, SM cows averaged $2,635/head on an 86% clearance and PTIC cows averaged $2,533/head on 95% clearance. NSW NSM cows and calves led the national CC result at $2,940/head on a 63% clearance, up $214. Queensland PTIC cows averaged $1,707/head at 67% clearance, while Victorian PTIC heifers led that state's breeding lines at $2,651/head on 67% clearance.
The AYCI in NSW sat at 605c, up 23c. Queensland listings rose 36% to 8,445 head with a 78% clearance, down 7 percentage points, and VOR of $127/head. The AYCI in Queensland was 536c, up 14c. Victoria saw a sharp lift in supply, up 99% to 3,248 head, though the clearance rate eased 21 percentage points to 71% with VOR of $141/head. Victoria's AYCI was 602c, up 24c.
Steers led buyer interest nationally and clearance rates across all major categories remained firm, with steers leading at 92% and heifers at 88%. The breadth of buying support across all three states points to continued restocking demand underpinning the market, particularly for lighter weight calves and yearlings where the strongest price gains were recorded.
Processors accounted for 5.31% of purchasing activity this week.
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