Quality and numbers increased again this week in the AuctionsPlus weekly commercial sales with 19,657 head offered – up 45% on last week.The highly anticipated influx of cattle has brought listings in line with the same week of the last two years, 62% higher than 2020 and 17% higher than 2021. Despite some isolated storms along the coast, this week was relatively dry for major areas in Southern Queensland and Northern NSW allowing the access and transport of cattle that have been ready and waiting in saturated paddocks. This has supported the increase in listings with 6,570 head offered out of Queensland this week – up 35% on last week.
Results were mixed across the board this week with overall clearance rate hitting 64% while average value over reserve fell slightly to $188 - but remained high historically. The surge in young cattle offerings caused mixed results, with 6-out-of-10 categories averaging lower. Breeding females remain scarce with 3,706 head offered, seeing quality lines attract top prices.
Demand was strong for the 453 head of light steers which averaged $1,076/head – up $101/head and registering a higher week-on-week clearance rate of 81%. The 200-280kg category of steers saw 1,839 head offered, while prices averaged $1,377/head – down $325, heavily influenced by quality and location. From Aramac, Western Queensland, two even lines totaling 252 Droughtmaster/Droughtmaster cross steers aged 6-13-months and averaging 267kg lwt returned $1,740/head or 651c/kg lwt.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Weekly Cattle Prices
Listings of 280-330kg steers more than doubled last week’s offering with the 1,965 head selling to an average $2,016/head – down $99 on last week, achieving an 80% clearance rate. From Leongatha, Gippsland Victoria, a line of 21 Wagyu/Friesian steers aged 12-14-months and averaging 312kg lwt returned the top price of $2,885/head of 926c/kg lwt.
The largest offering of steers came from the 330-400kg category where 2,373 head averaged $2,318/head for a 72% clearance rate. From Gundagai, NSW, a line of 26 Angus steers aged 14-15-months old and averaging 354kg lwt returned $2,310/head, $160 over the reserve price. Heavy steers were exposed to selective buying with the 1,760 head of 400kg+ steers averaging $54 higher at $2,507/head for a 68% clearance rate. From Marulan, NSW a line of 70 Angus steers aged 18-20-months old and averaging 462kg lwt returned $2,680/head or 580c/kg lwt.
Listings of young heifers increased significantly to 6,961 head – up 69% on last week. This pushed average prices for most categories lower, while clearance rates were subdued. The offering of less than 200kg heifers totaled 346 head and averaged $936/head for a 72% clearance. The 200-280kg heifer category averaged $87 lower at $1,534/head across the 1,457 head. From Dubbo, NSW, a line of 41 Shorthorn/Shorthorn Cross heifers aged 7-12-months old and averaging 226kg lwt returned $1,210/head, $110 over the reserve price.
Listings of 280-330kg heifers increased 42% to 1,508 head, recovering the losses from the previous week to average $2,051/head – up $256 for a 51% clearance rate. From Innisplain, Southern Queensland, a line of 14 Santa Gertrudis heifers aged 12-15-months old and averaging 298 kg lwt returned $1,550/head or 520c/kg lwt.
An increased listing of 330-400kg heifers saw the 2,961 head average $2,129/head – down $144, reaching a 62% clearance. From Talwood, Southern Queensland, a line of 116 Angus heifers aged 12-14-months old and averaging 342kg lwt returned $2,220/head, $340 over the reserve price. Listing of 400kg+ heifers increased to 689 head, selling to an average of $2,431/head and a clearance of 84%. From Boorowa, NSW, a line of 65 Angus NSM future breeders aged 16-18-months old
Limited offerings of breeding lines are contributing to persistent volatility, with PTIC heifers and cows moving in different directions for the fourth consecutive week. PTIC heifer listings were lower week-on-week with the 1,306 head recovering some of the losses of last week to average $2,579/head – up $366, while clearance remained subdued at 39%. From Tamworth, NSW, a line of 39 Simmental/Simbrah PTIC heifers, joined to a Simmental bull, aged 21-23-months old and averaging 462kg lwt returned $2,560/head.
PTIC cows registered a higher listing of 1,072 head which pushed average prices down $467 to $2,449/head, while clearance reached 39%. From Rosedale, Gippsland Victoria, a line of 14 Angus PTIC cows, Joined to Angus bulls, aged 3-4-years old and averaging 481kg lwt returned the top price of $2,900/head.
From Nyngan, NSW, a line of 28 Angus NSM cows with 28 Angus calves returned $4,000/head. The cows were 2 years old and averaged 490kg lwt, while the calves were aged 2-3-months old and averaged 126kg lwt.
NOTE: Prices as at 2pm, Friday 30th September 2022