Weaner steers cracked the 700c/kg mark on AuctionsPlus last Friday reflecting the confidence restockers have in the beef market.
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A line of 153 three- to four-month-old Angus and Angus-cross steers offered by AL and ED Uebergang Partnership, North Star, tipped the scales at 158 kilogram to return 705c/kg or $1115 a head.
Selling agent Ben Lehman of Lehman Stock and Property, Inverell, said calves of this weight were in limited supply which no doubt bolstered competition.
During the online sale there were six different bidders active on the steers, although it was a buyer from Swan Hill in Victoria that placed the winning bid.
Mr Lehman said bidders noted the weight for age, quality and large number made this a rare line worthy of the price.
Meanwhile, Holly Baker from AuctionsPlus said market confidence continues to strengthen with the 14,429 head offered last week on the online platform achieving a 84 per cent clearance.
"The ongoing competition between restockers and processors, evident across the store market, is driving prices upwards and holding them there," Ms Baker said.
She said apart from the North Star steers at 705c/kg, the dearer market trend was achieved by most stock categories with the most significant jump claimed by the light steers less than 200kg, increasing 100c/kg to average 583c/kg.
"A significant portion of last week's offering hailed from Queensland with north and southern Qld being the two largest listing regions, offering 2339 and 1601 head respectively," she said.
"Buying was dominated by central western NSW, with 2170 head returning the region. Followed closely by southern Queensland with 1403 head and Riverina with 1210 head purchased."
She said 200kg to 280kg steers sold from 386c/kg to 571c/kg, to average 472c, while 280kg to 330kg steers rose 27c/kg, selling between 359c/kg and 567c/kg to average 467c/kg.
Feeder steers 330kg to 400kg sold from 281c/kg to 472c/kg, averaging 430c and heavy steers (400kg plus) continued the upward trend in prices, selling from 328c/kg and 440c/kg, to average 402c/kg.
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