Market Report: AuctionsPlus Cattle Transactions
Part of an offering of 353 Angus PTIC heifers aged 14-18 months, averaging 365kg, mated to Fullblood Wagyu bulls, from east of Augathella, Queensland, which sold for 361-364c/kg, or $1320-$1330 a head on Thursday. Click on image for a larger view.
In a week marked by public holidays, AuctionsPlus cattle transactions reflected a mixed market performance, altering typical sales patterns and buyer engagement. The Eastern States Sale (3495 head) and Weaner & Yearling Sale (7058 head) were held a day earlier on Thursday, resulting in a noticeable drop in numbers by 7781 head compared to the previous online sale conducted two weeks prior.
Market Trends and Analysis
Price trends for young cattle exhibited variability, leaning towards moderate prices in cents per kilogram (c/kg). Breeding females experienced even more fluctuations, with clearance rates edging up to 77%.
In the steer market, heavier weight categories faced reduced results. For feeder steers over 400kg, the average price dropped by 7c to 395c/kg (-$61). Meanwhile, the 330–400kg category noted a slight increase of 2c, averaging 413c. This reflects a dip in demand for heavier cattle, possibly due to the disrupted trading schedule.
Lighter steers showed a mixed response. The 280–330kg range saw an increase of 10c, reaching an average of 436c, while the 200–280kg range dropped by 2c to average 440c, despite a robust clearance of 81%.
Highlights from Recent Sales
The market highlights included 80 Angus steers aged 8-10 months, averaging 326kg from Cassilis, NSW, fetching 454c/kg or $1480/head, and headed to a buyer near Griffith, NSW. Heifers exhibited a diverse range of outcomes, with a standout category being a small group of 240 heifers over 400kg that surged by 19c/kg to average 385c, propelled by strong buyer demand and achieving full clearance.
An illustrative sale from Mangoplah, NSW featured 22 Angus heifers, aged 13-14 months, with an average weight of 480kg, returning 373c/kg or $1790/head, destined for a buyer near Kergunyah South, VIC.
Breeding Females Performance
Breeding females yielded mixed results overall. NSM (Not Serviced Mated) cows and calves increased significantly by $156, averaging $2022, while NSM heifers and calves escalated by $264 to an average of $2443, indicating strong confidence in future breeding potential.
Conversely, a batch of 500 station-mated cows and calves experienced a decline of $251, averaging $1874 with a 95% clearance. Additionally, PTIC (Pregnant To Stillmate) heifers witnessed a decrease of $178, settling at an average of $1528.
Looking Ahead
Among the larger offerings from the previous week, 353 Angus PTIC heifers aged 14-18 months, averaging 365kg and mated to Fullblood Wagyu bulls, were sold for prices ranging from 361-364c/kg or $1320-$1330 each. In northern regions, 208 Santa PTIC cows aged 2-4 years, averaging close to 400kg from Julia Creek, sold for $1340 to $1360 each.
In NSW, 191 PTIC cows aged 3-6 years from Brewarrina were sold in three lots (Hereford, Angus, and Charbray composites), with lot averages ranging from 424kg to 495kg, fetching prices from $1330 or 292c/kg (for Charbrays) to $1550 or 313c/kg for the Hereford group of 74 cows. Furthermore, 80 Angus cows from Cootamundra, aged 30-36 months and averaging 545kg, returned $2160/head, heading to a buyer near Glen Innes, NSW.
With a return to regular sale scheduling on the horizon, market observers anticipate a potential for more consistent competition, which could help stabilize prices across the cattle market.
Source: AuctionsPlus
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