Weekly Cattle Market Overview

Among larger lines offered this week were these 300 Angus feeder steers from Walcha on the NSW New England, 19-22 months averaging 465kg, pre-vaccinated with two doses of Bovilis MH+IBR selling in three tight weight ranges from 472-490c/kg. Some will travel to a buyer in Anakie, VIC.

Cattle numbers rebounded this week, with 14,952 head offered across AuctionsPlus sales—an increase of 25% compared to the previous week. This larger offering resulted in a decreased clearance rate, easing by 13 percentage points to 73%.

Market Trends

Lighter steer and heifer prices trended down in cent per kilogram terms, while heavier categories mostly showed gains. The weekly weaner and yearling sale saw 9,788 head listed and closed with a 77% clearance. The Eastern States sale had 4,865 catalogued, clearing 66%.

Feeder steers over 400kg were a highlight this week, lifting 53c/kg to average 468c/kg or $2,112. An offering of 565 head cleared 74%, with sales influenced mainly by the fact that 83% of the offering were Angus.

Price Movements

Lighter steer categories saw mixed results: 200–280kg steers rose by 20c/kg to an average of 479c/kg, clearing 83% from an offering of 1,924 head. In contrast, 280–330kg steers dropped 21c/kg to average 439c/kg, clearing 74% from an offering of 1,450.

Among larger lines offered this week were 300 Angus feeder steers from Walcha, averaging 465kg and selling within tight weight ranges from 472-490c/kg. Some of these steers are destined for a buyer in Anakie, VIC.

A line of 56 Angus steers aged 8-9 months and averaging 273kg from Woodhouse, VIC fetched 480c/kg or $1,310/head, heading to a buyer near Heywood, VIC.

Heifer Market Insights

The heifer market softened across the four lightest weight categories. The only exception was a small offering of heavier heifers over 400kg, which rose 39c/kg to average 397c with a 91% clearance.

However, light heifers under 200kg experienced a dramatic decline, losing 175c/kg to average 288c, clearing 67%. Heifers in the 200–280kg category dropped 28c to average 383c.

From Walcha, 76 Angus heifers aged 20-22 months and averaging 424kg were sold at 412c/kg, destined for a buyer near Willow Tree, NSW.

Breeding Females Market

Breeding female categories displayed solid competition for select lines, resulting in price rises throughout. SM cows and calves lifted $192 to average $1,961, while PTIC heifers increased by $79 to $1,999 and PTIC cows rose by $184 to $2,056. NSM cows and calves also saw improvement, rising $138 to average $2,327/pair.

Purchasing activity remained consistent, with steers accounting for 35%, heifers 30%, and breeding stock 33% of the total turnover. However, clearance softened across all categories compared to last week, down to 78% for steers, 78% for heifers, and 66% for breeding stock.

Summary of Listings

In terms of listing activity, the strongest gains came from NSW, which listed 7,499 head—up 2,268 head (43%). QLD followed with 4,719 head—up 824 head (21%).

On the purchasing side, overall numbers increased to 12,960 head—up 19% from last week. NSW led buyer activity with 6,142 head purchased, up 914 head, while SA saw a remarkable increase of 107%.

Source: AuctionsPlus