Amazing prices continue to be paid for top-shelf breeders, especially with calves-at-foot. A line of 52 station mated Angus cows (pictured) and calves from Coolatai, NSW, returned $4,580/head last week – selling $980 over their reserve price.
Joined to Angus bulls, the cows were aged 3-11 years and averaged 665.8kg liveweight. The calves-at-foot ranged in age from 2-20 weeks of age, averaging 128kg liveweight.
All five young cattle categories registered lower prices this week in c/kg terms, with only the lightest lines averaging higher in dollar per head terms.
For the heaviest populated 330-400kg category, prices registered the smallest fall, down $7 on last week, to average $2,213/head, with an 84% clearance rate for the 2,318 head offered.
From Charters Towers, Queensland, a line of 252 14-22-month-old HGP free Brahman/Brahman cross steers, weighing 333kg liveweight, returned $2,010/head, or 603c/kg liveweight.
The 200-280kg steers averaged $77 cheaper last week, at $1,762/head, while 280-330kg lines dropped $93, to average $2,006/head. 400kg plus steers averaged $2,428/head this week, or 541c/kg lwt – down $71, or 9c/kg on last week.
The light heifer 200-280kg liveweight category registered the strongest upward movement this week, jumping $218, to average $1,830/head – with a 97% clearance rate for the 811 head offered.
A total of 1,450 head of 280-330kg heifers sold to steady demand, registering an 80% clearance rate, with the category averaging $98 higher for the week, at $1,987/head.
Demand for proven breeding lines continues to be robust, with pre-auction catalogue views continuing to be extremely high. With final prices always largely dependent upon age and bloodline, PTIC cow prices averaged $81 higher this week, at $3,120/head – with a 93% clearance rate for the 1,486 head offered. In contrast, the 2,540 head of PTIC heifers sold to comparatively weaker demand from last week, easing $170, to average $3,140/head.
From Guyra NSW, a line of 92 PTIC Droughtmaster cross heifers aged 18-22 months old and averaging 442.9kg liveweight, returned $3,140/head. Joined to Angus bulls, the heifers were offered with extended payment terms of 150 days.
-AuctionsPlus