Cattle numbers were back this week to see just shy of 19,000 head offered online, about 2000 less than last week.

The smaller offering did not dampen the strength of the current market with prices increasing for most stock categories. This week may have seen a change in season, with winter now upon us, however, demand from restockers to replenish herd numbers continues with breeding articles highly sought after.

PTIC heifers experienced the biggest price jump of all categories, increasing $168 to average $1743 this week. Prices for steers increased across most weight categories.

Listings from Southern and Western Queensland accounted for 30pc of the catalogue, offering 3943 and 1934 head respectively. Central Western NSW continued to dominate as the most successful purchasing region with 2533 head destined for the region followed closely by Southern Queensland and the North West Slopes & Plains in NSW.

Cows and calf units climbed again this week to average $2441, up $30, selling from $2000 to $3210. Top price went to a line of 11 NSM Angus heifers with CAF, offered by 5 Mile Enterprises, from Northwood, VIC. The Mordallup blood heifers were 26-30 months averaging 466kg and their CAF were 2-3 months old, averaging 199kg.

From Gloucester, NSW, 30 PTIC Limousin cross cows 3-9 years averaging 564kg with CAF sold for $3200.

PTIC heifers followed a similar positive price trend as they sold from $1210 and $2720, to average $1743, up $168. A line of PTIC Speckle Park x Angus heifers offered by Waratah Speckle Park, Guyra, NSW attained the highest price for the category. The commercially bred heifers were 19-21 months averaging 455kg and will travel south to Alexandra, VIC.

A line of PTIC Poll Hereford heifers from Holbrook, NSW sold for $2530. The Injemira blood heifers were 21-22 months averaging 480kg and will travel across the border to Colac, VIC.

PTIC cows eased on last week’s prices, selling from $1380 to $2310, averaging $1824, back $334. Top two prices were achieved by Watch Hill in Beeac, VIC for two decks worth of PTIC Angus cows, 33-35 months averaging 532kg and the other 457kg, which are both joined to Alpine Angus bulls. Both will travel to Guyra, NSW. From Mount Olive, NSW, a line of Angus cows, 34-38 months old averaging 497kg, PTIC to Kansas Angus bulls sold for $2200 and will travel to Glen Innes, NSW.

Young cattle

Prices for steers increased across most weight categories, for the 6900 head offered.

Light steers less than 200kg sold from 456c to 610c to average 538c, up 5c from last week. Top priced lot was a line of 120 Droughtmaster steers, offered by Davemac Enterprises, The Gums, QLD. The EU accredited steers were 6-10 months averaging 130kg, and will travel south to Warren, NSW. Another highlight was a line of Angus backgrounder steers, 179kg, 4-8 months from Meandarra, QLD, selling for 570c.

Prices for steers averaging 200-280kg ranged from 375c to 555c this week, averaging 489c, up 2c. A line of 51 Angus steers 8-9 months averaging 216kg from Blayney, NSW, achieved top price, travelling to Armidale, NSW. From Victoria, a line of EU accredited Angus steers, 8-9 months averaging 212kg, sold for 552c and will cross the border into South Australia.

Steers 280-330kg eased 28c this week to average 414c and sold from 287c to 497c. Top price hailed from Long Hill Pastoral Co, Coolah which offered crossbred unweaned steers, 7-9 months averaging 283kg. From Oberon, NSW, 24 Angus x Shorthorn steers, 7-9 months averaging 280kg, sold for 491c.

Feeder steers 330-400kg sold from 303c to 446c, averaging 393c, firm on last week. From Mount Gambier, SA, DF & M Cleves offered 29 Hereford and Angus x Hereford steers which achieved the highest price of the category. The EU accredited steers were 12-13 months old, averaging 332kg and have Ardno Hereford and Boonderoo Angus bloodlines. From Nundle, NSW, a line of 80 Angus feeder steers, 11-12 months and 344kg, sold for 444c.

Steers more than 400kg liveweight were up 5c, averaging 487c and selling between 330c and 420c. Top price went to a line of 15 Angus yearling steers, offered by Schofield Grazing from Nundle, NSW. The steers were 15-16 months averaging 403kg and will travel to Mudgee, NSW. From Inman Valley, SA, Angus feeder steers, 13-15 months averaging 432kg, sold for 406c and will travel to Lavington in the NSW Riverina region.

Heifers accounted for 33pc of the overall catalogue with 6,175 head offered. There was a smaller offering of light heifers averaging under 200kg; they sold between 410c and 500c to average 463c, back 26c on last week. Top price went to a line of 60 Angus heifers, offered by A/c ‘MG & TJ Wales’ from Meandarra, QLD. The EU accredited heifers are 4-7 months old, averaging 188kg and will travel to Walcha, NSW. Another notable highlight was a line Angus and Angus cross heifers, 7-9 months averaging 192kg, from Boggabilla, NSW, selling for 483c.

Heifers 200-280kg jumped 19c to average 459c as prices ranged between 358c and 541c. From Humula, NSW, Pine Park Pastoral Co offered 32 Angus heifers which made top price for the category. The heifers were 8-10 months averaging 211kg and will remain in the Riverina, travelling to Murrami. Also from the Riverina, in Mangoplah, NSW, a line of 32 Angus heifers, 9-10 months averaging 250kg sold for 534c.

Heifers 280-330kg sold from 309c to 472c, averaging 398c, easing 10c from last week. Top price went to a line of 28 Angus heifers 9-11 months averaging 309kg from Meningie, SA, which will travel to Mount Gambier, SA. A line of 27 unweaned Angus heifers 9-10 months averaging 288kg, from Bega NSW, sold for 469c.

Feeder heifers 330-400kg improved 3c on last week, selling from 333c to 471c to average 390c. A line of Angus heifers from Meningie, SA, achieved top price for the category. The 26 registered stud females are 9-11 months old, averaging 353kg and will travel to Mount Gambier, SA as well. From Goondiwindi, NSW, a line of 61 Angus heifers, 19-21 months averaging 374kg sold for 439c.

Heifers heavier than 400kg sold from 363c and 402c to average 386c, up 4c. Top price went to a line of Angus x Hereford heifers from Malanda’ in Penshurst, VIC. The black baldy heifers were 18-20 months averaging 403kg and will travel to Quirindi, NSW. A line of Angus x Charolais heifers, 15-16 months averaging 404kg, from Nundle, NSW, sold for 395c.

In Tasmania, a reduction in numbers with 272 head offered saw an increase demand as the sale achieved 96pc clearance. Steers sold between $850 and $1550, to see the average ease $42 to $1255. Top price went to a line of Murray Grey cross weaned steers, 10-12 months averaging 470kg from Riana. Heifers sold between $910 and $1260, with top price going to a line of Murray Grey cross heifers, 8-12 months averaging 326kg, offered by the same vendors as the steers.

Looking over to the west, there was 86 head offered in the WA cattle sale on Tuesday which achieved 100pc clearance. Weaned heifers sold between 343c and 357c to average 350c. Top priced lot was a line of Angus heifers, 10-11 months averaging 297kg, offered by JCC Love Family Trust from Pemberton.

Mixed sex weaner prices ranged between 292c and 383c, averaging 352c. From Mayanup, a line of Charolais and Red Angus cross mixed sex weaners 225kg at 7-8 months topped the category and will travel to Pemberton, WA.

In a breakdown of young cattle sold this week, by weight range:

Less than 200kg: Steers sold from 456c to 610c/kg to average 538c, while heifers sold from 410-500c to average 463c

200-280kg: Steers sold from 375-555c to average 489c, while heifers sold from 358-541c to average 459c

280-330kg: Steers sold from 287-497c to average 414c, while heifers sold from 309-472c to average 398c

330-400kg: Steers sold from 303-446c to average 393c, while heifers sold from 333-471c to average 390c

400+ kg: Steers sold from 330-420c to average 487c, while heifers sold from 363-402c to average 386c.

Originally published on Beef Central 7th June 2020, Image sourced from Beef Central