Weekly Cattle Comments - 21.04.23

Listings of commercial cattle on AuctionsPlus slipped back 8% this week to total 15,865 head. The improved market sentiment due to recent rain has increased listings on AuctionsPlus, with the last two week’s offerings the highest for the year so far. This has in turn reduced competition for stock this week, with young cattle prices tracking mostly sideways over the last month. Clearance rate fell 13 percentage points to 50% while value over reserve declined $26 to average $109. 

Listings of steers decreased for each category while three-out-of-four categories saw higher prices and strong clearance rates. Listings of heifers on the other hand were mixed, with overall numbers down 20%. While 280-330kg heifers were highly sought after, the two heaviest categories experienced large declines due to breed and location influencing a small offering. 

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

Steers

Steers weighing 200-280kg registered 2,295 head and averaged $1,131/head – down $83 from last week for a 56% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 391c-523c and averaged 469c/kg lwt – down 20c. From Rockley, NSW, a line of 100 Angus steers aged 7-8 months old and weighing 243kg lwt returned $1,255/head, or 516c/kg lwt.

Steers weighing 330-400kg registered 1,097 head and averaged $1,545/head – up $59 on last week for a 64% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 400c-461c and averaged 442c/kg lwt – up 28c. From Blackall, Western Queensland, a line of 125 Santa Gertrudis steers aged 7-12 months old and weighing 362kg returned $1,520/head, or 420c/kg lwt.

Heifers

Heifers weighing 200-280kg registered 1,020 head and averaged $887/head – down $92 from last week for a 45% clearance. Prices ranged from 286c-433c and averaged 368c/kg lwt. From Narbethong, Victoria, a line of 42 Angus heifers aged 8-9 months old and weighing 219kg returned $950/head, or 433c/kg lwt.

Heifers weighing 280-300kg registered 1,291 head and averaged $1,211/head – up $65 on last week for a 71% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 297c-563c and averaged 405c/kg lwt. From Tenterfield, NSW, a line of 99 Wagyu/Angus heifers aged 9-11 months old and weighing 282kg returned $1,590/head, or 563c/kg lwt. From Stockyard Hill, Victoria, a line of 108 Poll Hereford NSM future breeders aged 11-12 months old and weighing 311kg returned $1,320/head.

Breeding Stock

Listings of breeding lines increased 12% this week and the higher supply alleviated competition, with most prices losing recent gains.

PTIC heifer listings increased 61% to 2,506 head and averaged $1,475/head – down $196 from last week for a 36% clearance rate. From Kilkivan, Southern Queensland, six lines of a total 370 Brahman PTIC heifers aged 12-36 months old and averaging 375kg returned $1,170-$1,200 to average $1,195/head.

PTIC cows registered 1,207 head and averaged $1,752/head – down $104 from last week for a 40% clearance rate. From Armidale, NSW, a line of 34 Angus PTIC cows aged five years old and weighing 485kg were highly sought after, selling for $2,340/head - $540 over the reserve.

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 21^st April 2023

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices

Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices