Listings in the AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales fell 15% to 11,642 head this week. Two weeks of decent rain across the east coast may have sparked a rebound in cattle prices, causing the strongest weekly results since October 2022. Value over reserve increased to $115, while clearance rate jumped to 67%. Most categories made solid gains with green ink across the board. PTIC lines of heifers and cows continue to face subdued demand, indicating that the rebuilding of the female herd is well and truly over.
Listings were lower across most states while Tasmania offered a massive 1,419 head, the 5th highest weekly listing on record for Tasmania. The recent rain has constituted an early Autumn break according to ABARES. The weather for the next few weeks will determine if this consolidates as a good Autumn break and kick-starts winter pasture growth.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Weekly Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
A reduced offering of steers saw higher prices per kilogram of liveweight for all categories. 200-280kg steers were the only category to see an increase in listings, with 1,600 head averaging $1,224/head, up $71 on last week for an 87% clearance rate. From Merriwa, NSW, a line of 120 Angus steers aged 8-9 months old and weighing 250kg lwt returned $1,350/head, $200 over the reserve price.
Steers weighing 330-400kg registered 1,210 head and averaged $1,357/head, down $37 from last week for an 88% clearance rate. Per kilogram liveweight prices ranged from 314-457c and averaged 383c/kg lwt, up 6c on last week. From Redpa, Tasmania, a line of 26 Never Ever accredited Angus/Hereford steers aged 7-9 months old and weighing 335kg lwt returned $1,530/head, or 457c/kg lwt.
Heifer listings fell 32% this week to 2,402 head. A smaller offering of high-quality heifers over 400kg saw prices jump $266 while results were mixed for the lighter categories. 200-280kg heifer listings were steady at 681 head and averaged $946/head, up $55 on last week for a 61% clearance rate. From Winton, Western Queensland, a line of 20 Santa Gertrudis cross heifers aged 5-9 months and weighing 259kg lwt returned $960/head, or 371c/kg lwt.
Heifers weighing 330-400kg registered 886 head and averaged $1,327/head, up $105 on last week for a 48% clearance rate. From Thallon, Southern Queensland, a line of 80 Charolais/Droughtmaster heifers aged 17-20 months old and weighing 380kg lwt returned $1,245/head, or 328c/kg lwt.
Demand was subdued for most breeding lines, while station mated lines registered higher prices. PTIC heifers registered 1,703 head and averaged $1,755/head, down $69 from last week for a 26% clearance rate. From Bathurst, NSW, a line of 27 Angus PTIC heifers aged 18-20 months old and weighing 495kg lwt returned $2,100/head, $200 over the reserve price.
PTIC cow listings increased to 1,141 head and averaged $1,825/head, down $86 from last week for an 84% clearance rate. From Cunnamulla, Western Queensland, 320 Brahman PTIC cows were offered across four lots. The cows were rising three-five years old, weighed an average 485kg lwt and returned between $1,500-$1,540/head.
Note: Prices as at 2pm Friday, 31st March 2023.
Table 1: AuctionsPlus National Cattle Prices
Table 2: AuctionsPlus Queensland Cattle Prices
Table 3: AuctionsPlus Angus Cattle Prices
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s
