Weekly Cattle Comments - 10.03.23

Listings in AuctionsPlus weekly commercial cattle sales were steady at 15,116 head – down 3% from last week. Green ink made a return with most categories flat or better, as the first signs of price stabilisation appear in the market. The tropical low currently bringing significant rain to parts of northwest Queensland and the prospect for it to move into southeast Queensland has spurred improved demand from Queensland buyers. Listings in Queensland registered an average value over reserve of $170 and a 51% clearance rate – much higher on both fronts than the national listings ($96 and 41%) or Angus listings ($94 and 46%).

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

Steers weighing 200-280kg lwt registered 1,492 head and averaged $1,243/head – up $16 on last week for a 44% clearance rate. From Moonie, Queensland, a line of 62 Santa Gertrudis steers aged 6-8 months old and weighing 245kg lwt returned $1,370/head, or 558c/kg lwt.

Listings of heifers weighing 200-280kg lwt increased to 1,309 head and averaged $1,029/head – up $24 on last week and reaching a 49% clearance rate. From Glenburn, Victoria, a line of 55 Angus heifers aged 6-7 months old and weighing 234kg lwt returned $1,100/head, or 470c/kg lwt.

Breeding stock listings increased by 10% this week, while results were mixed across average prices and clearance rates. PTIC heifer listings dropped back to 2,236 head and averaged $2,138/head – up $69 on last week, although clearance rate fell to 14%. From Tarcutta, NSW, a line of 27 Angus PTIC heifers aged 19-20 months old and weighing 451kg lwt returned $2,140/head.

PTIC cow listings increased to 1,602 head and averaged $1,671/head – down $127 on last week for a 43% clearance rate. From Tooma, NSW, a line of 23 Angus PTIC cows aged 3-5 years old and weighing 441kg lwt returned $1,890/head. 

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 10th March 2023.

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices

Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices