Among larger lines offered this week, these 131 Brangus backgrounder heifers 10-14 months averaging 260kg from Comet, Central Queensland made 250c/kg or $650 a head

End of financial year may have had some bearing on a larger AuctionsPlus offering on Friday, where 16,839 head were listed, up 11 percent on the previous week.

The larger offering was met with mixed competition as clearance fell to 52pc. Prices were up and down across different steer and heifer categories, with no clear trend evident.

There was a big spread in the listing locations for the week with most regions across the eastern seaboard seeing stock coming forward, as conditions dry off.

The gap between weaners and feeders grew 6c/kg last week, with feeders now 35c/kg less than the weaner prices.

Processor/lotfeeder activity improved slightly but remained subdued with 6pc or 518 of the lots offered being secured by processor/feedlot buyers. These lots were mainly Angus steers ranging from 280-400kg. Agents and assessors also noted some activity on SM and PTIC cows from processors.

Steer price trends were mixed, with lighter steers 200-280kg receiving similar pricing to last week with clearance rates above this week’s sale average. Steers 280-330kg lost 10c to average 374c.  Heavier steers 330-400kg increased in number by 22pc week on week and improved 15c/kg to average 377c, while 400kg+ categories reduced in number and price with a fall of 66c, averaging 327c/kg.

From Coleraine, VIC, 80 Angus steers 8-10 months averaging 217kg returned $850/head, or 393c/kg and will travel to a buyer near Deniliquin, NSW.

Heifers

Overall the heifer offering increased, especially in the light categories. Among heifers 200-280kg, listings increased by 59pc with prices suffering as a result, back 86c/kg to average 286c. These light heifers, often seen as the bellwether of confidence will be closely looked at as the season continues. Interestingly their older sisters at 280-330kg saw a small increase in listings and an improvement in price, up by 29c/kg. Very few heifers 400kg + were listed with prices unchanged on last week.

From Inverleigh, Victoria, 73 Angus heifers 11-12 months averaging 312kg returned $940/head, or 302c/kg, going to a buyer near Hamilton, QLD.

Among larger lines offered this week, 131 Brangus backgrounder heifers 10-14 months averaging 260kg from Comet, Central Queensland made 250c/kg or $650 a head, while 144 weaned Ultrablack/Angus steers 8-12 months averaging 316kg from Isisford, western Queensland made 329c or $1040.

Breeding stock

There were similar numbers of both PTIC heifers and PTIC cows to previous weeks. PTIC cows dipped slightly week on week to average $1596, with clearance rates holding 68pc, however PTIC heifers lost ground this week with a low clearance of 25pc and a price reduction of $291. Cows and calves also sold to subdued competition with SM cows and calves averaging $1706.

From Orange, 27 Angus cows 3-8 years averaging 559kg returned $2200, or 394c/kg, going to a buyer near Bathurst, NSW.

Prices as at 2pm Friday, 21 June

Source: AuctionsPlus