Lighter steers lost ground, while medium and heavier descriptions improved in price in a smaller offering of 15,220 head on AuctionsPlus last week.

Numbers offered fell nine percent compared with the week before, with clearance improving to 59pc.

It was a strong week for lighter unjoined heifers, with two of the three lightest categories registering stronger prices demonstrating the increase in demand this week for buyers to secure unjoined heifers. Breed also played a part, as explained below.

Further, the weaner price gap has closed considerably between steers and heifers on the back of the stronger heifer prices, with the gap averaging 3.42pc in favour of steers. This is well below the average for 2024 of 21pc and is a considerable turnaround, given last week was the highest gap between weaner steers and heifers recorded on AuctionsPlus.

The sold-at-auction premium continues to be strong in June, with prices received during the auction 12.5pc above post-auction sales and currently averaging 10.74pc for the month. Feeder prices also continue to be strong, with the gap between weaners and feeders trading very close together, with feeders only 29c/kg less than weaner prices this week.

Listings were dominated by NSW and Queensland last week, with NSW offering 6861 head, down 17pc or 1444 head, and Queensland seeing 4577 head listed, which was down 61 head. The balance of the offering was from Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.

Processor/lotfeeder activity was fairly subdued this week, with 4.49pc, or 401 head, of the sold offering being secured by processor/lotfeeder buyers. Interestingly, the number of lots purchased increased substantially, with ten lots sold to processors. The main categories of interest were steers in the 330-400kg range with five lots purchased from this category, followed by steers +400kg with four lots.

Steer prices was strongest at the heavier end of the market, with price gains recorded for the two heaviest categories. Clearance rates were varied, with strong demand for steers over 400kg, while weaker demand was felt throughout the mid weight categories where supply was higher.

Steers 200-280kg produced an offering of `1705 head, averaging 375c/kg this week, down 15c on the previuous sale.

Steers 280-330kg was the most heavily populated category this week with the 2170 head met with strong demand producing a 79pc clearance rate, while average prices were little changed from the previous week, averaging 384c/kg.

Two lines of 60 Angus backgrounder steers 9-11 months averaging 323kg from Scone, NSW, sold at $1,380 and $1,360/head.

Steers heavier than 400kg lifted in price by 67c/kg to average 393c or $1720 for the 729 head on offer. Demand remains strong for this category, with a 99pc clearance achieved.

From Denman, NSW 47 Angus feeder steers 20-23 months averaging 463kg returned $1920/head or 415c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Queensland.

Heifers

Heifers 200-280kg recorded the largest movement this week, with the 1377 head lifting 59c/kg in average value to 371c, and stronger demand with an 88pc clearance.

From Hawkesdale, VIC 98 Angus heifers 9-10 months averaging 250kg returned $1170/head or 468c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Moree, NSW.

Heifers 280-330kg attracted 703 entries, but cleared only 27pc. Prices averaged 334c, up 36c on the week prior.

Wagyu presence

Not included in the weekly national price table was the large number of Wagyu heifers catalogued this week. These lines were removed from the weekly table due to their high selling price. From Clermont, QLD, a single vendor offered two lines of 111 and 89 NSM future breeder purebred Wagyu heifers selling at $2220/head for both lots.

It was an unusually large offering of Wagyu-influenced young cattle this week, with 662 head listed in the weaner and yearling sale by five vendors. The Wagyu young cattle offering produced a clearance of 38pc.

In the separate Eastern States sale, a further 296 purebred Wagyu heifers offered in four lines 18-24 months and 270-371kg liveweight from Westmar, QLD, all found buyers, with prices ranging from $1480- $2060/head.

Breeding females

 

Breeding females were mixed last week with three categories rising and three falling. The rises were led by PTIC cows which recorded a $219 rise to average $1807 for the 1051 head. PTIC heifers gained $203 on average, to make $1644, with 1328 offered, but clearing only 12pc.

The 744 station-mated cows offered produced a 34pc clearance, averaging $1408.

 

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 14 June.

Source: AuctionsPlus