CATTLE
Compared to the slow return of sheep and lamb auctions, the cattle sales roared back into action with 17,197 head offered on AuctionsPlus last week.
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The largest weekly listing of 2023 was met with robust demand as value over reserve increased to $135 and clearance rate jumped to 63 per cent.
Improved prices have caught the attention of producers who have been holding onto market-ready stock.
Listings increased across the board, which would normally put pressure on prices. However, most prices increased last week due to rain closing the gap to a solid autumn break.
A lower proportion of light heifers were offered compared to steers as they continue to be retained for breeding purposes.
Steers
Steers weighing 200-280kg registered 2581 head and averaged $1220/head - up $79 on the previous week for an 89pc clearance rate. Per kilogram prices ranged from 402-573c and averaged 489c/kg lwt.
From Tambo, a line of 166 Brangus steers aged five to 10 months old and weighing 242kg returned $1280/head, or 529c/kg lwt.
Steers weighing 330-400kg registered 1612 head and averaged $1497/head - down $64 due to low numbers, while clearance rate reached 77pc.
From Lucindale, SA, a line of 90 Hereford steers aged nine to 11 months old and weighing 366kg returned $1620/head or 442c/kg lwt. The same vendor offered 11 other lots to a total of 898 Angus/Hereford and pure Hereford steers of various weights which returned similar prices.
Heifers
Heifers weighing 200-280kg registered 914 head and averaged $984/head - up $67 for a 56pc clearance rate. Per kilogram prices ranged from 292-440c and averaged 408c/kg lwt.
From Rolleston, a line of 120 Santa Gertrudis heifers aged eight to 12 months old and weighing 245kg lwt returned $1050/head, or 428c/kg lwt.
Heifers weighing 330-400kg registered 1236 head and averaged $1456/head for a 76pc clearance rate. Per kilogram prices ranged from 304-494c and averaged 405c/kg lwt.
From Bingara, NSW, three lines of a total 116 Angus heifers aged 17-20 months old and weighing 359kg returned $1750-$1770/head, or 490c/kg lwt.
Breeding Stock
Pregnancy tested in-calf heifers registered 1556 head and averaged $1666/head - down $79 for a 33pc clearance rate.
From Ben Lomond, NSW, a line of 52 Angus PTIC heifers aged 18-20 months old and weighing 397kg returned $2060/head.
PTIC cows registered 1439 head and averaged $1898/head - up $244 for a 58pc clearance rate.
From Glen Innes, NSW, seven lines of a total 188 Angus PTIC cows aged five to eight years old and weighing 506kg returned $2035/head.
SHEEP
Sheep and lamb listings on AuctionsPlus fell 36pc to 30,715 as supply chains slowly kicked back into gear after the Easter break. The lower supply supported a robust market, with value over reserve increasing $7 to average $16 while clearance rate was down slightly at 60pc.
Rain over the weekend for most grazing areas of Australia will continue to support producer confidence as we edge closer to a confirmed autumn break.
Crossbred lambs registered 2001 head and averaged $113/head - up $5 for a 72pc clearance rate.
From Bessiebelle, Victoria, a line of 800 August 2022 drop White Suffolk/Composite mixed sex store lambs weighing 34kg lwt returned the top price of $122/head, or 359c/kg lwt.
Merino wether lambs registered 5060 head and averaged $84/head - down $11 for a 77pc clearance rate. Per kilogram prices ranged from 155-247c and averaged 217c/kg lwt.
From Jamestown, SA, four even lines, each with 220 Jul/Aug '22 drop poll Merino wether lambs weighing 42kg lwt returned $101/head, or 242c/kg lwt. The same vendor offered a further two lines of 375 of the same lambs weighing 47kg lwt which returned $115/head, or 247c/kg lwt.
SIL Merino ewes registered 6709 head and averaged $171/head - up $10 for a 51pc clearance rate.
From Glenalbyn, Victoria, two lines of 245 22 to 23-month-old Merino ewes scanned in-lamb to Border Leicester rams and weighing 69kg lwt returned $244/head, or 352c/kg lwt.
SM shedding breed ewes registered 1187 head and averaged $201/head - up $19 for a 91pc clearance rate.
From Broken Hill, NSW, a line of 400 Apr/May '22 drop White Dorper ewe lambs station mated to White Dorper rams and weighing 54kg lwt returned $200/head, or 368c/kg lwt.
