Lightweight steers and joined heifers both up in price

Steers-unweaned-

These Angus steers, averaging 241kg, from Sodwalls, NSW, sold for $1510 or 626c/kg.

Light weight 200-280kg steers averaged $10 higher last week, at $1,419/head, with a very competitive 80% clearance rate for the 2,164 head offered.

After the previous week’s gains, the two heavier young steer categories fell back, with 330-400kg steers averaging $102 lower, at $1,682/head, while 280-330kg lines slipped $50, to average $1,639/head.

The young heifer lines registered some patchy clearance rates this week, with the 200-280kg liveweight category the largest for the week, at 2,643 head – with an 86% clearance rate.

While the overall price for the week eased $18, to average $1,340/head, buyers reportedly fought very hard for several of the top-quality lines offered.

For the 1,277 head offered within the 280-330kg liveweight category, prices slipped $60/head, to average $1,490/head, while the heavier category increased $31, to average $1,659/head for only 593 head.

PTIC heifers and PTIC cows moved in different directions this week, despite overall numbers being close to the previous week.

PTIC heifers finished the week averaging $33 higher, at $2,306/head, with a 59% clearance rate for the 2,634 head offered.

Buyers continue to be very selective through the PTIC lines, with reports of buyers going the extra mile to confirm pedigree and quality.

One line of 99 excellent quality PTIC Angus heifers sold to $2,760/head, or 1,487.6c/kg liveweight – out of Mitchell, in Southern Queensland, the heifers ranged from 16-26 months of age, averaged 404.8kg liveweight and had been joined to Wagyu bulls.

In contrast this week, PTIC cows slipped $59, to average $2,144/head – with a 64% clearance rate for the 1,770 head offered.

A lot of 84 heavy Santa Gertrudis/Santa cross PTIC cows out of Longreach, Queensland, sold to $1,970/head – averaging in at 574.8kg liveweight for the 3–11-year-old line.

-AuctionsPlus