Weekly Cattle Comments - 28.04.23

Listings of commercial cattle on AuctionsPlus lifted slightly to 16,371 head this week. Listings were higher in Queensland and Tasmania but lower in all other states. The overall market was steady on last week with clearance rate down slightly to 46% and value over reserve flat. Results across steer and heifer categories were mixed while breed and location influenced some strong results. Breeding lines, however, were met with strong demand which saw prices kick higher. A solid Autumn break may have been just what cattle breeders needed to make final decisions on their stock numbers heading into Winter.

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 2,465 head and averaged $1,158/head – up $56 on last week for a 77% clearance rate. Per kilogram prices ranged from 298-611c and averaged 467c/kg lwt. From Julia Creek, North Queensland, two even lines of 102 Droughtmaster steers aged 8-12 months old and weighing 279kg returned $1,270/head, or 454c/kg lwt.

Listings of 280-330kg steers lifted 32% to 1,838 head and averaged $1,458/head – up $85 on last week for a 66% clearance rate. The top price of 627c/kg lwt was achieved by a line of 90 F1 Wagyu/Angus steers from Barraba, NSW. The steers were aged 6-8 months old and weighed 312kg, returning $1,955/head.

Steers weighing 330-400kg registered 1,123 head and averaged $1,487 – down $45 from last week for a 58% clearance rate. Per kilogram prices ranged from 332-440c and averaged 397c/kg lwt. From Burraga, NSW, two even lines of 84 Angus steers aged 16-18 months old and weighing 392kg returned the top price of $1,686/head, or 431c/kg lwt.

Heifers

Listings of 200-280kg heifers lifted 80% to 1,839 head and averaged $913/head – up $35 on last week for a 39% clearance rate. Price ranged from 303-463c and averaged 379c/kg lwt. From Omeo, Victoria, a line of 71 Angus heifers aged 7-8 months old and weighing 264kg returned $1,000/head and will travel to a buyer in SA.

280-330kg heifers registered 750 head and averaged $1,381/head – up $188 on last week for a 38% clearance rate. The top price of 559c/kg lwt was achieved by a line of 94 F1 Wagyu/Angus heifers from Barraba, NSW. The heifers were aged 6-8 months old and weighed 286kg, returning $1,600/head.

330-440kg heifer listings increased 45% to 1,023 head and averaged $1,210/head – down $33 from last week for a 28% clearance rate. Prices ranged from 296-415c and averaged 339c/kg lwt. From Springsure, Central Queensland, a line of 60 Charbray heifers aged 15-18 months old and weighing 374kg returned $1,218/head, or 326c/kg lwt.

Breeding Stock

Breeding lines were met with strong demand this week, pushing prices for SM and PTIC categories up by 12-66%. The subdued clearance rates combined with significant price increases would suggest that producers continue to be highly selective in their restocking decisions. However, the early Autumn break may have given producers enough confidence of good pasture growth through winter to step into the market and compete for the right article of breeding females.

PTIC heifer listings slipped slightly to 2,141 head and averaged $2,003/head – a significant lift of $452 on last week for a 24% clearance rate. From Glen Innes, NSW, a line of 30 Angus PTIC heifers aged 20-22 months old and weighing 492kg returned $2,200/head. The top price of $2,800/head was achieved by a line of 11 Santa Gertrudis PTIC heifers aged 18-20 months old and weighing 427kg from Toowoomba, Southern Queensland.

PTIC cows registered 1,249 head and averaged $2,070/head – up $375 on last week for a 24% clearance rate. From Goulburn, NSW, a line of 49 Angus PTIC cows aged 8-9 years old and weighing 682kg returned $2,250/head.

Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 28^th April 2023

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices

Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices