Cattle numbers offered through AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales jumped 10% this week, hitting 13,574 head, as clearance rates eased back slightly from recent levels.
While the total value of sales over reserve remained historically high for the week, averaging $195/head, the range from low to high prices for most categories widened this week, as eager buyers competed vigorously for quality and bloodlines.
The main feature in the market again this week was widespread rain through many parts of the eastern states. With flooding now an ever-present risk, it is very likely that producers will “pounce” on opportunities to get market ready stock into transport ready locations – aware that any drier windows for transport may be short lived. This has the real potential to add some volatility to the supply of cattle through to the end of the year – which will no-doubt also influence prices.
For the online markets this week, the strength of previous weeks was largely maintained, as quality light steers remain very scarce. While 200-280kg steers slipped $179/head lower on last week (due to quality), to average $1,702/head, 280-330kg steers kicked $209 higher, averaging $2,139/head. Both categories sold to an above average clearance rate, at 93% and 90%, respectively.
From Stonehenge, Queensland, a line of 186 Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis cross weaned steers aged 5–10-month-old and averaging 249kg lwt returned $1,890/head. From Macarthur, Victoria, a line of 60 Wagyu/Angus weaned steers aged 12-13-months-old and averaging 304kg lwt returned $3,830/head.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Weekly Cattle Prices
A good offering of heavier steers weighing 330-400kg was matched by robust competition, with the 1,265 head offering selling to a 90% clearance rate – averaging $163 higher on last week, at $2,328/head. From Delungra, NSW, a line of 27 Angus backgrounder steers aged 12-16-months-old and averaging 398kg lwt returned $2,340/head.
The 1,335 feeder steers sold to steady competition, with the 63% clearance rate sure to rise in the coming days as further negotiations take place. Comparatively steady compared to the lighter lines, 400kg+ steers slipped $8 on last week, to average $2,473/head – equating to 569c/kg lwt. From Young, NSW, a line of 47 Shorthorn feeder steers aged 12-14-months-old and averaging 419kg lwt, returned $2,360/head
For the five heifer categories, it was three-up-two-down for the week, with the largest price fall registered for the 280-330kg lines, which averaged $349 lower, at $1,805/head. From Wantabadgery, NSW, a line of 34 NSM Poll Hereford future breeders aged 12-13-months-old, weighing 298kg lwt, returned $1,860/head.
330-400kg and 400kg+ heifer categories both averaged higher for the week, jumping $59 and $171/head, respectively. While the 400kg+ lines were scarce, with only 343 head offered, they sold to a 94% clearance rate – averaging $2,443/head. 330-400kg heifers averaged $2,282/head this week, with a 78% clearance rate masking the spirited competition across several lines. From Guyra, NSW, a line of 54 NSM Angus future breeders aged 18-24-months-old, weighing 386kg lwt, returned $2,430/head.
It was a much more selective market through the proven breeding lines, with some large price movements in key categories reflecting the search for quality. The PTIC heifer market averaged lower this week, down $492/head on last week, to average $2,210/head – with a 47% clearance rate for the 2,178 head offered. From Wandoan, Queensland, a line of 54 Charolais/Charabray and Droughtmaster cross heifers, aged 16-24-months-old, weighing 337kg lwt, PTIC to Ultrablack, Droughtmaster and Shorthorn bulls sold for $2,020/head
PTIC cows averaged $329 higher this week, at $2,964/head, with the 602 head offered selling to a comparatively high 73%. From Upper Horton, NSW, a line 34 Angus cows, aged 3-9-years-old, weighing 666kg lwt, PTIC to Angus Bulls, sold for $3,220/head.
41 NSM Angus cows aged 7-10-years-old, weighing 608kg lwt, with 42 CAF sired by Angus Bulls, weighing 75kg lwt, returned $4,210/head.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 23rd September 2022