Listings fell slightly this week in the AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales, with 12,141 head – down 12% from last week. Results were mixed and heavily influenced by breed and genetics. Buyers continue to be willing to pay big money for the right article, while standing out in a highly selective marketplace is becoming more difficult.
Steer numbers were back 31% this week while most other categories were steady week-on-week. PTIC heifers continue to hit the market in large numbers as they regained the price advantage over PTIC cows this week.
Light steers averaged $1,052/head across 171 head offered. Steers weighing 200-280kg offered 594 head which averaged $1,241/head – down $33 from last week for a 68% clearance rate. From Euroa, Victoria, a line of 15 Poll Hereford steers aged 9-10 months old and averaging 248kg lwt returned $1,300/head, or 525c/kg lwt.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
Listings of 280-330kg steers increased to 973 head which averaged $1,452/head – up $38 on last week for a 71% clearance rate. From Crows Nest, Southern Queensland, a line of 36 Charolais/Charbray steers aged 12-16 months old and averaging 312kg lwt returned $1,340/head, or 430c/kg lwt.
A smaller offering of 651 steers weighing 330-400kg averaged $1,523/head – down $38 for a 51% clearance rate. From Tenterfield, NSW, a line of 11 Shorthorn steers aged 15-18 months old and averaging 385kg lwt returned $1,440/head - $90 over the reserve price.
Heavy steer listings fell this week to 932 head and averaged $2,196/head, heavily influence by breed and genetics. From Cecil Plains, Southern Queensland, three even lines of 78 F1 Wagyu/Angus steers aged 12-18 months old and averaging 405-417kg lwt returned between $2,800/head and $2,845/head.
Heifer listings were firm this week with strong clearance rates achieved for the lighter lines. Light heifers averaged $760/head across 209 head.
The 200-280kg heifer category registered 769 head this week and averaged $1,194/head – rising $75 on last week for a 73% clearance rate. From Bingara, NSW, a line of 108 Angus heifers aged 7-9 months old and averaging 274kg lwt returned $1,480/head, or 540c/kg lwt.
Listings of 280-330kg heifers doubled from last week and were met with strong demand as the 998 head averaged $1,216/head – falling $24 and registering a 73% clearance rate. From Gurley, NSW, a line of 40 Angus heifers aged 5-8 months old and averaging 314kg lwt returned $1,375/head, or 438c/kg lwt.
Listings of 330-400kg heifers were back this week, with the 825 head averaging $1,352/head – down $63 from last week. From Kingston, SA, a line of 26 Watervalley Blacks heifers aged 12-18 months old and averaging 346kg lwt returned $1,240/head.
Heavy heifers averaged $1,656/head or 380c/kg lwt across the 566 head. From Jingellic, NSW, a line of 21 Angus heifers aged 29-30 months old and averaging 452kg lwt returned $1,670/head, or 370c/kg lwt.
Breeding stock numbers were firm this week with a small decrease in PTIC heifer listings balanced out by increased PTIC cows. Results were mixed and prices ranged significantly as buyers were selective on quality.
2,100 PTIC heifers averaged $2,337/head for a 38% clearance rate. Post-sale negotiations are expected to lift clearance as agents and buyers find a middle ground in the current market. From Yarck, Victoria, two even lines of 30 Angus PTIC heifers aged 30-31 months old and averaging 550kg lwt returned $3,420 and $3,440/head. The heifers were pregnancy tested in calf to Angus bulls and accompanied by a veterinary certificate.
Increased listings of 1,179 head of PTIC cows weighed down on prices, averaging $2,292/head – down $49 from last week for a 54% clearance rate. From Biloela, Queensland, a line of 44 Santa Gertrudis PTIC cows aged three-five years old and averaging 541kg lwt returned $2,260/head. The cows were pregnancy tested in calf to Angus bulls and accompanied by a veterinary certificate.
From Chatsbury, NSW, a line of 21 Angus station mated cows with 21 calves at foot returned $3,120/head. The cows were rising three-year-old, joined to Angus bulls and averaged 521kg lwt. The calves sired by Angus bulls were three to five months old and averaged 180kg lwt.
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 24th February 2022.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
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