Market Report: AuctionsPlus Cattle Sales Show Fluctuating Trends

From Mungallala, QLD,
these 94 Angus steers aged 8-12 months, averaging 261kg, returned 660c/kg on Friday
and will travel to a buyer near Orange, NSW.

The AuctionsPlus online cattle market experienced an uptick in steer values last week, with most heifer categories following suit. The total number of cattle offered reached 16,822 head, marking a 25% increase from the prior week and the highest figure seen in four months. However, clearance rates dipped to 71%, down 19 percentage points, attributed to the increased supply.

Results in breeding females were mixed, with three categories witnessing significant declines in value. New South Wales emerged as the top-selling state, listing 6,914 head and reflecting a 49% increase from the previous week’s offerings. Queensland followed closely with 6,804 head, while Victoria saw a slight 2% lift. South Australia’s throughput more than doubled to 947 head, and Tasmania remained steady with 680 head.

On the purchasing front, New South Wales buyers secured 4,733 head, approximately 40% of all purchases. Victorian buyers notably increased their activity, purchasing 2,197 head, while Queensland buyers saw a slight retreat, acquiring 4,079 head.

Steer Offerings and Prices

Larger steer offerings included:

• Steers 200-280kg: 2,393 head cleared at 70%, with prices averaging 576c/kg, an increase of 26c.
• Steers 330-400kg: 2,334 head cleared at 66%, averaging 504c/kg, up 4c from the previous week.
• Heavy Feeders +400kg: 1,572 head cleared at an impressive 93%, with prices rising by 17c to average 481c/kg.

A line of 125 Angus steers, aged 10-12 months and averaging 213kg from Mudgee, NSW, returned 643c/kg and will be heading to a buyer near Tamworth, NSW. Meanwhile, 94 Angus steers from Mungallala, QLD, with an average weight of 261kg, achieved 660c/kg and will be sold to a buyer near Orange, NSW. Additionally, a noteworthy offering included 160 Shorthorn steers weighing 234kg (5-12 months) from Quilpie in far western Queensland, fetching 523c/kg or $1,170.

Heifer Market Trends

In heifer trading, the total offerings of 2,703 heifers weighing 200-280kg only cleared 56%, maintaining an average price of 467c/kg, consistent with the previous week. A larger group of 1,933 heifers weighing 280-330kg saw better clearance at 81%, despite a price drop of 27c to settle at 458c/kg.

Noteworthy sales included 80 Angus heifers from Kyeamba, NSW, averaging 166kg, which returned 635c/kg destined for a buyer near Bendigo, Victoria.

Breeding Female Market Insights

Breeding female categories experienced substantial price retraction. PTIC heifers observed an average drop of $229 per head, while station-mated cows and calves fell by $222 per pair. NSM cows and calves were valued down by $101 per head. The only category witnessing price growth was PTIC cows, where 347 were catalogued, averaging $2,277 with a clearance of 77% after a $388 increase.

Source: AuctionsPlus