Weekly Cattle Comments - 2.06.23

Commercial cattle listings on AuctionsPlus totaled 12,693 head – down 15% from last week. The cattle market continues to experience challenging trading conditions with high supply of slaughter ready cattle and a lack of restocker demand placing downward pressure on prices. This was evident in value over reserve slipping $43 to average $60/head and clearance easing to 31%. All eyes will be on the forecasted rain in the coming week as a critical factor for both livestock markets and crop emergence.

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

It was a cheaper market for young steers and heifers this week. Steers weighing 280-330kg were the only shining light with prices increasing $20/head. Steers over 400kg saw a sharp drop with an average price lower than 330-400kg steers heavily influenced by breed and location.

Steers weighing 200-280kg registered 1,907 head and averaged $901/head – down $72 from last week for a 41% clearance. Prices ranged from 215-411c and averaged 359c/kg lwt. From St George, Southern Queensland, a line of 114 Angus/Santa Gertrudis cross steers aged 6-9 months old and weighing 246kg returned $930/head, or 378c/kg lwt, $140 over the reserve price.

Steers weighing 330-400kg registered 1,214 head and averaged $1,241/head – down $108 from last week for a 36% clearance. Prices ranged from 285-409c and averaged 356c/kg lwt. From Guyra, NSW, a line of 87 Angus steers aged 9-10 months and weighing 338kg returned the top price of $1,385/head, or 409c/kg lwt.

Heifers

Young heifers experienced red ink across the board despite a limited offering of 1,716 head. Heifers weighing 200-280kg registered 841 head and averaged $731/head – down $64 from last week for a 65% clearance. Prices ranged from 217-358c and averaged 296c/kg lwt. From Merriwa, NSW, a line of 72 Shorthorn heifers aged 10-11 months old and weighing 202kg returned $640/head, or 317c/kg lwt.

Heifers weighing 280-330kg registered 503 head and averaged $903/head – down $44 from last week for a 28% clearance. Prices ranged from 229-320c and averaged 290c/kg lwt. From Deepwater, NSW, a line of 60 Angus heifers aged 11-12 months old and weighing 328kg returned the top price of $1,050/head, or 320c/kg lwt.

Breeding Stock

Listings of breeding stock fell 26% this week with 5,589 head. PTIC heifers registered 1,872 head and averaged $1,688/head – up $230 on last week for a 12% clearance. From Adjungbilly, NSW, a line of 23 Angus PTIC heifers aged 20-21 months old and weighing 466kg returned $1,910/head, $220 over the reserve price.

Age and quality impacted the PTIC cow category with 1,531 head averaging $1,171/head for a 19% clearance. From Scone, NSW, a line of 58 Angus PTIC cows aged 7-9 years old and weighing 604kg returned $1,200/head, $100 over the reserve.

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 2nd 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