Demand for steers with plenty of time ahead of them in the paddock remains fever pitch, as numbers remain extremely scarce.
While a very strong dairy cattle influence had the lightest steer category (less than 200kg) down on last week, all four heavier categories averaged higher.
The largest category, 280-330kg, averaged $10 higher on last week, at $1,745/head – with an 80% clearance rate for the 2,126 head offered.
An indicative line of 70 weaned Angus steers out of Central NSW, averaging 276.5kg liveweight, sold to $1,900/head – equating to 1,255.8c/kg dressed.
With 846 head, the 400kg+ steer category jumped $102 on last week, to average $2,216/head – with a 96% clearance rate.
Young heifers contributed to most of the increase in supplies this week, with 3,331 head offered in the 200-280kg head category, compared to 1,824 head last week.
The 83% weekly increase for the category only had a minor impact on prices, averaging $8 lower, at $1,455/head.
Prices increased for the remaining four young heifer categories, with the heaviest lines again registering a near-capacity clearance rate of 97% for the 483 head offered.
Some outstanding lines of PTIC heifers and PTIC cows pushed both categories higher this week. PTIC heifers jumped another $108, to average $2,469/head, with a 73% clearance rate for the 1,426 head offered.
Even with a 49% jump in offerings this week, at 1,877 head, PTIC cows averaged $367 higher, at $2,911/head – underpinned by some excellent quality bloodlines.
-AuctionsPlus