Weekly Cattle Comments - 28.10.22

Listings in the AuctionsPlus weekly commercial cattle sales this week were down 6% from last week, to 14,256 head. Rain and flooding continue to wreak havoc on the supply of cattle to market, with producers battling against restricted access to paddocks, yards and roads.

The market this week could be best described as highly selective. The average value over reserve increased to a record high $272, while clearance rate came back to 66% at the immediate closure of sales. Breeding stock and steer numbers were largely steady week-on-week, while heifer numbers contracted 21%.

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

Increased listings of steers this week contributed to three-out-of-five categories losing most of last week’s gains. Light steers were back this week, which helped prices increase $217, to average $1,183/head. A 35% increase in the number of 200-280kg steers resulted in prices falling $170 to average $1,810/head across the 1,245 head, for a 49% clearance. From Hannaford, Southern Queensland, a line of 114 Angus/Brahman cross steers aged 6-10 months old and weighing 253kg lwt returned $1,810/head, or 717c/kg lwt.

Listings of 280-330kg steers were back from last week, with the 1,056 head averaging $2,116/head – down $55 on last week for a 76% clearance. From Padthaway, SA, a line of 143 Angus steers aged 7-8 months old and weighing 325kg lwt returned $2,460/head - $160 over the reserve price. Numbers of 330-400kg steers increased to 1,430 head and averaged $2,244/head – down $38 for a 78% clearance. From Yea, Victoria, a line of 15 Charolais steers aged 12-13 months old and weighing 371kg lwt returned $2,350/head - $250 over the reserve price.

A smaller offering of 400kg+ steers sold to an average of $2,600/head – up $258 on last week, with a very selective clearance rate of 35%. From Tamworth, NSW, a line of 19 Speckle Park steers aged 16-20 months old and weighing 470kg lwt returned $2,450/head, or 521c/kg lwt.

Listings of heifers were back this week, with three-out-of-five categories registering lower average prices. Light heifers averaged $1,017/head across the 256 head, for a 93% clearance. 200-280kg heifers were the only category to increase in numbers, with the influence of large lines out of Queensland putting downward pressure on prices. The 1,394 head averaged $1,327/head – down $467 and losing all last week’s gains for a 39% clearance. From Clermont, Central Queensland, a line of 114 Droughtmaster heifers aged 10-14 months old and weighing 241kg lwt returned $1,380/head - $230 over the reserve price.

Offerings of 280-330kg heifers reached 472 head, with prices falling $108 to average $1,811/head – as the clearance rate hit 69% at the immediate conclusion of the sale. From Weeaproinah, Victoria, a line of 40 Angus heifers aged 12-13 months old and weighing 322kg lwt returned $2,180/head, or 678c/kg lwt. Prices for 330-400kg heifers fell $78 to average $2,205/head across the 1,295 head, reaching a 91% clearance. From Surat, Southern Queensland, a line of 36 Ultrablack heifers aged 15-20 months and weighing 387kg lwt returned $2,210/head, or 571c/kg lwt.

Heavy heifers were met with strong demand, with the 599 head selling to a 69% clearance and averaging $2,554/head – up $86 on top of last week’s gains. From Tarcutta, NSW, a line of 32 Angus heifers aged 17-19 months old and weighing 451kg lwt returned $2,450/head, or 544c/kg lwt.

Breeding stock numbers were steady overall, but large fluctuations in numbers for individual categories caused mixed prices. Listings of PTIC heifers and NSM cows and calves were back on last week, while PTIC cows and SM cows and calves increased. Listings of PTIC heifers were back from the highs of last week, with the 2,111 head averaging $2,864/head – up $467 on last week for a 62% clearance. From Armidale, NSW, a line of 26 Angus PTIC heifers aged 24-26 months old and weighing 435kg lwt returned $3,120/head - $320 over the reserve price.

After a surge of PTIC heifers hitting the box last week, it was the PTIC cows turn this week. Listings increased 114% to total 1,313 head this week, selling to a 68% clearance rate and $2,532/head average – down $205 from last week. From Euroa, Victoria, a line of 20 Poll Hereford PTIC cows aged 2.5-3.5 years old and weighing 547kg lwt returned $2,900/head - $400 over the reserve price.

From Echuca, Victoria, a line of 30 Poll Hereford NSM cows with 33 calves at foot sired by Poll Hereford bulls returned $4,620/head - $820 over the reserve price. The cows were three years old and weighed an average 660kg lwt, while the calves were 1-8 weeks old and weighed an average 115kg lwt.

NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 28th October 2022

Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices

Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices

Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices