Auction Market Trends: Cattle Prices Experience Decline

This week’s auction results indicated a significant shift in demand, with clearance rates dropping to 44% amid a smaller offering of 12,639 head on AuctionsPlus. This represents a 12% decrease compared to last week’s figures, highlighting a more selective buying environment.

Price Fluctuations in Steer and Heifer Markets

Overall, steer and heifer values mostly declined in cents per kilogram (c/kg), with notable variances across different classifications. The best performance was seen in the 200-280kg steers, which increased by 12c/kg to an average of 540c/kg, clearing 54% of the 1390 head offered.

However, the 280-330kg steers experienced a decrease of 18c/kg, averaging 488c/kg with a clearance of only 45% from 1366 offered. Steers weighing between 330-400kg saw a significant drop of 24c/kg, averaging 489c/kg with just 39% clearance from a larger offering of 1643 head.

Heavy feeders over 400kg faced a decline as well, with a 20c/kg drop to an average of 485c/kg and a clearance rate of 44% from 1029 head.

Heifer Market Trends

Heifer categories also reflected the downward trend. The 200-280kg group fell by 19c/kg to an average of 424c/kg, achieving a 51% clearance. Heifers in the 330-400kg category saw an 18c/kg dip to average 420c/kg, clearing 62% of the 1200 head offered.

In contrast, heavy feeder heifers over 400kg saw only a minor decrease of 2c/kg, averaging 437c/kg from a smaller offering of 107 head. The 280-330kg heifer category remained stable, averaging 428c/kg with a 60% clearance.

Highlights from Young Cattle Auctions

Among the young cattle highlights, 30 Angus steers aged 4-5 months and averaging 214kg from Braidwood, NSW, fetched 590c/kg, headed to a buyer near Bairnsdale, VIC. Additionally, 140 Angus steers from Glenellen, NSW, aged 5-6 months at an average weight of 207kg returned 584c/kg to a buyer near Young, NSW.

Furthermore, a line of 116 Droughtmaster steers, aged 9-14 months and averaging 268kg from Blackall, QLD, sold for 541c/kg to a local buyer.

Challenges for Wagyu Entries

The Wagyu segment continued to struggle, with only one of nine lots finding a buyer. The largest offering of 85 F1 backgrounder heifers, weighing 359kg and aged 14-15 months, went unsold at 440c/kg.

Breeding Females Insights

On the breeding front, values for PTIC (pregnant tested in calf) heifers and cows rose, with PTIC heifers increasing by $101 to average $2408 and cows improving by $79 to $2328. However, smaller offerings of station-mated heifers and cows dropped significantly, averaging $2136 and $1592 respectively.

As the cattle market continues to evolve, producers and buyers alike are advised to stay informed on price trends and market dynamics.

Source: AuctionsPlus