Weekly Cattle Comments - 05.05.23

Listings of commercial cattle on AuctionsPlus increased 14% this week to 18,589 head. Listings were higher in NSW while all other states registered falls. Increased supply pushed prices for most categories lower as value over reserve declined $32 to average $77 and clearance rate fell 4 percentage points to 42%. Given that a good Autumn break over April only temporarily stalled the decline in prices, this week’s results are a strong indication that higher output of cattle will continue to push prices lower, with little support from subdued restocker demand. 

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices

Steers

Steers weighing 200-280kg registered 2,172 head and averaged $1,145/head – flat on last week for a 64% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 363-609c, with the top price achieved by Wagyu/Angus steers, and averaged 460c/kg lwt. From Clermont, Central Queensland, a line of 104 Droughtmaster steers aged 6-8 months old and weighing 258kg returned $1,130/head, or 438c/kg lwt.

330-400kg steers registered 1,486 head and averaged $1,461/head – down $27 from last week for a 75% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 285-464c and averaged 412c/kg lwt. From Armidale, NSW, a line of 100 Angus steers aged 8-9 months old and weighing 343kg returned $1,590/head, $140 over the reserve price.

Heifers

Heifers weighing 200-280kg registered 1,717 head and averaged $888/head – down $14 from last week for a 32% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 258-485c and averaged 367c/kg lwt. From Bathurst, NSW, a line of 82 Angus heifers aged 8-9 months old and weighing 213kg returned $900/head, or 424c/kg lwt.

330-440kg heifers registered 574 head and rebounded from last week’s losses to average $1,337/head – up $137 on last week for a 38% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 320-396c and averaged 376c/kg lwt. From Holbrook, NSW, a line of 50 Angus heifers aged 20-21 months old and weighing 352kg returned $1,330/head, or 378c/kg lwt to a buyer from SA. 

Breeding Stock

PTIC heifers registered a 67% increase in listings to 3,572 head and averaged $1,739/head – down $216 from last week as ample options for selective buyers decreased competition, leading to a 20% clearance rate. From Moree, NSW, a line of 39 Santa Gertrudis PTIC heifers aged 26-40 months old and weighing 589kg returned $2,100/head.

PTIC cows registered 1,752 head and averaged $2,079/head – up $341 on last week for a 47% clearance rate. From Winton, Western Queensland, a line of 86 purebred Wagyu PTIC cows aged 2-12 years old and weighing 481kg returned $2,480/head. From Molong, NSW, five lines of a total of 234 Angus PTIC cows aged 45-81 months old and weighing 562-651kg returned $2,240-$2,420/head.

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 5^th May 2023

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices

Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices