These weaner heifers from Tenterfield, NSW, sold for $3560 or 1069c/kg.
In contrast to the young steer categories, it was the heavier end of the young heifer market that kicked higher last week, with gains of between $134 – $311/head through the three heaviest segments.
With 1,578 head offered, 200-280kg heifers slipped $71 on last week, to average $1,546/head.
From Corryong, Victoria, a line of 88 Angus heifers aged 8-10-months-old and weighing 224.8kg lwt returned $1,730/head to a buyer from Tooma, NSW – $330 over reserve.
The 280-330kg heifers averaged $134 higher, at $2,037/head, with a 51% clearance rate for the 1,261 head offered. From Miles, Queensland, a line of 46 Simmental/Simmental cross heifers aged 12-18-months-old and weighing 298.2kg lwt returned $1,500/head.
For the heavier lines, 330-400kg lots averaged $311 higher, with the weekly average boosted by some excellent quality offerings. 185 EU accredited Angus heifers from Tenterfield, NSW, were offered in six different lots.
Ranging from 8-12-months-old and weighing between 321.4-332.9kg lwt, they returned an average $3,487/head.
For the young steer categories, it was the lighter end of the category that kicked higher last week, as demand through the heavier lines declined. The 330-400kg steers dropped $180 on last week, to average $2,013/head – with a 52% clearance rate for the 2,206 head offered.
Interestingly, the lighter category of 280-330kg steers averaged higher, rising $28 on last week, to $2,040/head. From Deepwater, NSW, a line of 37 Hereford steers aged 9-10-months old and weighing 322kg lwt returned $1,740/head – headed to buyer in Burra, SA.
Interest for 200-280kg steers was again robust, with the highest clearance rate among the steer categories for the week, at 62% for the 2,718 head offered.
Prices for the week averaged $6 higher, averaging $1,745/head, or 695c/kg lwt.
From Walcha, NSW, a line of 34 Angus steers aged 9-10-months-old and weighing 233.5kg lwt returned $1,800/head, or 770.88c/kg lwt. From the north, a line of 107 Droughtmaster/Droughtmaster cross steers, out of Adavale, Western Queensland, aged 5-11-months-old and weighing 262.6kg lwt returned $1,750/head – reaching $180 over reserve.
Feeder steers continued to be in tight supply, with the 387 offered averaging $2,406/head – down $256 on last week. From Dubbo, NSW, 10 Santa Gertrudis steers aged 18-19-months-old and weighing 404.6 kg lwt returned $2,080/head – destined for Colbinabbin, Victoria.
PTIC cow offerings again exceeded the PTIC heifer numbers this week, with the 2,643 head offered hitting a 49% clearance rate at the immediate conclusion of the sale. At a high sale of $3,970/head, PTIC cows averaged $2,636/head this week, back $10 on the previous week. From Chinchilla, Queensland, a line of 42 Santa Gertrudis PTIC cows aged 8-10-years-old and weighing 551kg lwt returned $2,860/head. The cows were EU accredited and joined to Wagyu bulls.
The most cautious buying for the week belonged to the PTIC heifer category, with a subdued 27% clearance rate for the 2,202 head offered. With the average up $124 for the week, at $2,713, some buyers were prepared to meet vendors expectations, while attention and sales could have also been dragged away to the heavier non-joined heifer lines, given the recent price differential. From Oberon, NSW, a line of 20 Angus PTIC heifers aged 20-22-months-old and weighing 440kg lwt returned $2,800/head and were joined to Angus bulls.
From Albury, NSW, 11 Murray Grey heifers with 11 calves at foot sired by Angus bulls returned $3,360/head. The heifers aged 24-25-months-old and weighed 435kg lwt while the calves aged 4-10-weeks-old and weighed 72kg. They will travel to a buyer in Thornton, Victoria.
-AuctionsPlus