Commercial cattle listings on AuctionsPlus rose by 7% this week to total 18,792 head. The largest single weekly listing of 2023 was met with subdued demand, resulting in a 38% clearance. So far, each week in May has been the highest weekly listing for the year, signifying producers looking to offload stock as we approach winter. Prices were mixed across the board with heifers and breeding stock experiencing falls due to increased supply, however, steer prices increased this week providing some reprieve. Value over reserve fell $43, to average $67 above reserve prices.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
Report: Interactive Market Dashboard - NEW
Some welcome rainfall across the Darling Downs has resulted in higher numbers out of Queensland this week, jumping 50% to 4,153 head, however, the higher supply was met with a tough market, resulting in a 35% clearance rate for the state and prices generally lower.
Steers
Steers weighing 200-280kg recorded a 15% fall in supply, at 2,401 head, with the lower numbers resulting in the average price climbing $80 to $1,080/head or 420c/kg. From Dulacca, Southern Queensland, a line of 46 Angus weaned steers aged 7 – 9 months and averaging 254kg lwt returned $1,070/head or 421c/kg.
Steers weighing 330-400kg also rose in value, jumping $51 to average $1,423 for the 857 head on offer. Offerings fell 47% from last week, sparking more competition for the limited numbers, resulting in a 69% clearance. From Kentdale, WA, a line of 25 Angus steers aged 8 – 9 months and 344kg lwt returned $1,400/head or 407c/kg and will travel to a buyer from Albany, WA.
Steers over 400kg bucked the trend, erasing all last week’s strong gains to average $1,473/head, recording a 58% clearance for the limited 396 head offering.
Heifers
Heifer categories declined across the board this week, apart from the 280-330kg weight range, as larger supply was pushed onto the market. Heifers weighing 280-330kg jumped $67 to average $1,081 for the 940 head on offer and achieved a 45% clearance. From Armidale, NSW, a line of 90 Angus heifers aged 8-9 months and weighing 314kg returned $1,120/head or 357c/kg were purchased by a Toowoomba buyer.
200-280kg heifers remained steady on last week, losing $1 to average $813/head for the 1,829 head on offer and posting a 52% clearance. From Yarrowitch, NSW, three lines of Angus weaned heifers aged 8 – 9 months and averaging 273kg lwt ranged in price between $860 to $890, with successful buyers from Queensland and NSW.
Breeding Stock
The cow market took a hit this week, after recording some modest gains last week with almost all categories seeing larger numbers and price falls.
PTIC heifers were the only category to increase in price, jumping $129 to average $1,717/head for the 2,660 head on offer, although buyers were clearly very selective with only 13% of the PTIC heifer catalogue selling.
PTIC cows fell $293 to average $1,601/head for the 2,975 head with clearance hitting 25%. From Cookardinia, NSW, a line of 4 Poll Hereford PTIC cows aged 2.5 years, weighing 494kg and joined to Angus bulls returned $1,610/head.
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 19th May 2023
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
AuctionsPlus Interactive Cattle Market Report