Reflecting the excellent seasonal conditions across many regions, demand remained strong last week, with cow and calf units achieving a 79% clearance rate, selling from $1,730 to $4,440/head – averaging $2,908/head.
The top price for the week went to a line of 17 Angus PTIC heifers, with calves-at-foot (pictured).
The 3-3.5-year-old heifers were assessed at 628kg, with 6-8-month-old CAF, weighing 300kg and sired by Speckle Park bulls, and were sold by Half Way Partnership, South Purrumbete, Vic.
PTIC cows sold significantly dearer this week, ranging from $1,650 and $3,040/head – to average $2,338/head.
The top priced lot, from Euroa VIC, was a line of 13 PTIC cows. These 30-32-month-old Connamara blood Angus cows weighed 619kgs and are PTIC to a registered Angus bulls – heading to Creightons Creek VIC.
PTIC heifers also sold dearer this week, although a low clearance rate was registered. Selling from $1,650 to $3,410/head, the category averaged $2,348/head – a $291 increase on last week.
Again, from Euroa VIC, were three lines that achieved the top price, including 26-27-month-old Angus heifers weighing 695kg. These polled heifers are PTIC to registered Angus bulls and will also head to Creightons Creek VIC.
Weaner and yearling heifers accounted for over 30% of the catalogue once again this week, matched with strong buyer activity. Light heifers under 200kg sold from 458c, to a top of 810c – averaging 528c, which was back 12c on last week. The top priced lot in a c/kg basis went to a line of 3-5-month-old Jersey heifer calves at Burnewang VIC, weighing 84kgs.
Heifers weighing 200-280kg sold from 352c to 605c – averaging 473c/kg. From Gloucester NSW, the top price for the week went to a line of 65 7-9-month-old Angus unweaned heifers, weighing 218kg.
Heifers weighing 280-330kg sold between 355c and 550c, to average 452c – an 8c increase on the previous week. From Elong Elong NSW, the top price was secured by a line of 12-14-month-old Hereford Non-Station-Mated future breeders, weighing 292kg.
Feeder heifers weighing 330-400kg sold to a dearer trend, ranging from 389c to 562c – to average 528c, up 76c on last week.
A vendor from Gloucester NSW, also secured the top price for this category, with 386kg Angus Non-Station-Mated yearling heifers aged 15-16 months.
Heavy heifers weighing over 400kgs sold from 358c to 448c, averaging 430c. From Wagga Wagga NSW, the top priced lot was a line of 14-20-month-old Polled Angus yearling heifers weighing 422kg.
Weaner and yearling steers were the largest category on offer, with over 10,000 head listed – or 44% of the catalogue. Light steers weighing under 200kg sold from 551c, to 805c, averaging 647c – jumping 96c/kg.
The top price went to a line of 32 weaned steers from Yarroweyah VIC. These Blonde Aquitaine/Friesian cross steers were 3-4 months old and weighed 109kg.
Steers weighing 200-280kg sold from 403c to 704c – falling 19c from the previous week, to average 531c. A line from Cooma NSW, secured the top price for the category, with 6-7-month-old Angus and Angus/Hereford weaned steers with Hazeldean blood, weighing 209kg,.
The 280-330kg steers also declined slightly this week, down 17c, averaging 479c and selling from 383c to 570c. From Harden NSW, the top priced lot was secured by a line of 310kg Angus and Angus cross weaned steers aged 9-11 months.
Feeder steers weighing 330-400kg eased 84c, to average 465c – selling between 284c and 515c. The top price went to a line of 13-15-month-old Angus backgrounder steers weighing 344kg, from Tingha NSW.
Heavy steers weighing over 400kg averaged 421c, decreasing 12c on last week, to sell from 337c to 460c. From Molesworth VIC, a line of 14-16-month-old 447kg Angus and Angus/Hereford steers secured the top price.
In Tasmania, there were 418 head on offer, achieving a 97% clearance rate.
Cows with CAF sold from $2,410 to $3,050/head, averaging $2,835 and achieving a 100% success rate among the 108 head offered.
The top price went to a line of 41 mixed age Angus cows weighing 621kg, with 4-12-week-old CAF weighing 112kgs, sired by Poll Hereford bulls. Yearling heifers sold between $1,180 and $1,550/head to average $1,376/head. The top price for this category went to a line of 9 14-15-month-old Hereford/Friesian Cross heifers, weighing 382kgs.