Commercial cattle listings on the AuctionsPlus platform slipped to 10,869 head this week. The market was generally positive with Value Over Reserve increasing $33 to average $93, while clearance also improved to 43%, up 12% on last week. The 200-280kg weight category for both steers and heifers performed well in online sales this week, posting impressive gains. Positive signs in export markets may suggest that the market is finding an equilibrium between supply and demand at a new level of pricing.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard - NEW
Steers
There were positive signs in the steer categories this week. Assisted by a smaller offering, three-out-of-four categories saw higher prices. Steers weighing 200-280kg registered 2,327 head and averaged $1,006/head – up $98 on last week for a 58% clearance. Prices ranged from 195 – 512c and averaged 406c/kg lwt. From Manilla, NSW, a line of 76 Shorthorn steers aged 10-11 months old and weighing 272kg returned $990/head, or 365c/kg lwt.
Listings of steers weighing 330-400kg decreased to 625 head and averaged $1,234/head – up $32 on last week for a 44% clearance. Prices ranged from 297 – 384c and averaged 344c/kg lwt. From Londrigan, Victoria, a line of 52 Angus steers aged 10-11 months old and weighing 339kg returned $1,280/head, or 378c/kg lwt and will travel to a buyer in SA.
Heifers
Results in the heifer categories were mixed this week despite a larger offering. Medium to lighter heifers saw strong price gains on last week, while heavier heifers slipped further. Heifers weighing 200-280kg registered 1,128 head and averaged $790/head – up $42 on last week for a 61% clearance. Prices ranged from 242 – 372c and averaged 331c/kg lwt. From Flaxley, SA, a line of 22 Angus heifers aged 9-10 months old and weighing 263kg returned $930/head.
Listings of 330-400kg heifers increased 51% to 297 head and averaged $899/head – down $240/head for a 19% clearance. Prices ranged from 248 – 267c and averaged 258c/kg lwt. From Booubyjan, Southern Queensland, a line of 15 Limousin/Brahman heifers aged 18-20 months old and weighing 345kg returned $895/head.
Breeding Stock
Breeding stock lines saw mixed results this week. PTIC heifers and cows went in opposite price directions, while clearance rates were generally higher than last week, assisted by a smaller offering by 21%. PTIC heifers registered 1,537 head and averaged $1,264/head – down $200 from last week for a 28% clearance. From Armidale, NSW, three even lines of 22 Angus PTIC heifers aged 18-30 months old and weighing 441kg returned $1,250/head.
PTIC cows registered 1,230 head and averaged $1,682/head – up $450 on last week for a 33% clearance. The stronger average was supported by quality, breed and location. From Barongarook West, Victoria, two even lines of 22 rising four-year-old Angus PTIC cows, joined to Angus bulls and weighing 563kg returned the top price of $2,710 and $2,540/head. Another line from the same vendor made $2,490/head for Angus PTIC cows weighing 536kg.
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 9th June 2023
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report