Numbers remained subdued across the AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales this week, with the total offering of 12,809 head down 2% on last week. Market sentiment continues to wane as the middle of winter has taken the heat out of the market. Across the board most categories registered prices easing further this week, while competition for breeding females was isolated to the quality lines.
Prices across heavier steer and heifer categories eased considerably while clearance rates also reflected a cautious market. Post-sale negotiations over coming days will see overall sales rise however vendor price points will be challenged by buyers seeking out value.
A lower offering of 200-280kg steers saw the 1,439 head achieve a 75% clearance rate while prices averaged $90 higher at $1,657/head. From Tambo, Queensland, a line of 95 Shorthorn/Santa Gertrudis steers aged 6-9-months-old and weighing 250kg lwt returned $1,650/head or 659c/kg lwt.
The 280-330kg category was the single largest offering this week with the 1,971 head reaching a 47% clearance rate. However, the increased offering was not absorbed by buyers as the category registered the largest price fall across the steer categories – down $128 to average $1,800/head. From Bundarra, NSW, a line of 53 Angus steers aged 9-10-months-old and weighing 315kg lwt returned the top price of $2,030/head – headed to Dulacca, Queensland.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Weekly Cattle Prices
The 330-400kg steers averaged $82 lower on last week to average $2,055/head with an increased offering of 1,021 head reaching a 45% clearance. From Quirindi, NSW, a line of 80 Angus steers aged 10-11-months-old and weighing 340kg lwt returned $2,040/head or 601c/kg lwt.
The lighter categories of heifers also saw prices rise on the back of lower offerings whereas a lack of competition saw heavier heifers ease further. The 200-280kg category was the largest offering with 1,412 head back slightly on last week to average $9 higher at $1,401/head. From Tarwin Lower, Victoria, a line of 35 Poll Hereford heifers aged 9-10-months-old and weighing 242kg lwt returned $1,420/head or 587c/kg lwt.
The 808 head offered in the 280-330kg category averaged $1,611 – back $92 on last week to reach 46% clearance. From Young, NSW, a line of 54 Angus heifers aged 10-11-months-old and weighing 310kg lwt returned the top price of $1,930/head.
330-400kg heifers registered the sharpest fall in prices this week, with the 450 head averaging $217 lower at $1,732/head. From Clermont, Queensland, a line of 75 Angus/Angus cross heifers aged 16-20-months-old and weighing 363.5kg lwt returned $1,640/head.
Selective buying was again prevalent in the breeding female lines, with PTIC heifers ranging from $1,500-$3,460/head to average $2,504 – back $87 from last week. Clearance rates were subdued with the lower offering of 1,561 head reaching 37%. From Bundarra, NSW, a line of 34 Angus PTIC heifers aged 22-24-months-old and weighing 420kg lwt returned $2,990/head. The heifers were 5-7-months pregnant to Angus bulls.
PTIC cows also fell this week - down $230 to average $2,420/head. The 1,614 head reaching a 30% clearance rate. From Coleraine, Victoria, a line of 30 Angus PTIC cows aged 3-6-years-old and weighing 531kg lwt returned $2,800/head. The cows were 7-8-months pregnant to Angus bulls.
From Trangie, NSW, a line of 18 Angus cows with 18 Angus calves at foot returned $3,700/head. The cows aged 3 years old weighed an average 557kg lwt while the 3-9-month-old calves weighed an average 92kg lwt.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 15th July 2022
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
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