Lamb market price per pound 2022

The weekly statistics summary encompasses saleyard and over-the-hook price indicators, feeder and live export quotes, as well as slaughter and throughput information across the cattle and sheep markets.

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Cattle

Sheep

Cattle

Scarcity Pushes Queensland to an Almost “Perfect Score”

As part of its weekly cattle market reporting service, AuctionsPlus’ Insights team analyses and publishes a table of prices and clearance rates specifically for Queensland offered cattle. Last week’s Queensland offering of 2,087 head almost achieved an extremely rare event, falling just short of a “perfect score” with just 1 lot of PTIC cows not selling. With an overall clearance of 97% and 10-out-of-11 categories reaching a “perfect” 100% clearance, it was a unique week for the Queensland cattle market (Table 1).

Cattle

Queensland graziers breeding up the herd

The 2021-22 (FY22) financial year was a period of major herd rebuilding for the Queensland cattle industry. Analysis of AuctionsPlus weekly commercial cattle sales has revealed some interesting insights around the retention of heifers and higher prices paid for proven breeding females – clear indications of the desire to rebuild herds through Queensland.

Sheep & Lamb

Sheep and Lamb Quarterly Power Rankings

AuctionsPlus sheep and lamb listings for the second quarter (April-June) of 2022 reached a total of 795,634 head - a 37% decline from the first quarter of the year and a 7.4% decline from the corresponding quarter in 2021. A key driver behind the reduced number of sheep and lambs transacted through the platform can be attributed to “disrupted seasonality” of the market. While lambs accounted for 55% of the catalogue across the quarter, a large proportion of lambs were close to ageing out or had already been joined to respective sires.

Cattle

Increased Competition and Restrained Supplies Reignite Cattle Market

In the first two weeks of August, weekly commercial cattle prices have shown signs that the winter chill has thawed, as buyers targeted the lower prices as an opportunity to step in and buy – pushing clearance rates up to 94% with average final sale values reaching $213/head over reserve (Figure 1).

Market Insights

AuctionsPlus FY 2021-22 Results

The 2021-22 financial year consolidated AuctionsPlus commercial growth, enabling producers to utilize the national exposure of Australia's largest digital ag platform. Records for the year were set across numerous sales and website usage statistics, with Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) for FY22 lifting 49% year-on-year, to a record A$3.51billion.

Sheep & Lamb

What’s In Store For the Spring Lamb Flush

With the spring selling season fast approaching, bringing with it the spring lamb flush, AuctionsPlus joined breed data has been utilised to highlight the changing trends in lamb production and anticipate which lamb breeds are set to make an impact on the market in the coming months. 

Cattle

Confident Bull Buying Kicks Spring Selling Season off to a Record Start

If there was a growing sentiment of cautiousness in the cattle market throughout July, someone forgot to tell bull buyers. The Spring bull selling season is off to a record start, with prices for bulls sold on AuctionsPlus in July averaging a record $14,222/head – up 20% on the same period last year. From the 1,931 bulls offered, 1,760 sold during the auctions, achieving a 91% clearance across all breeds, with 21 different seedstock vendors improving their sale averages from last year.

Machinery

Online Activity Heating Up at Clearing Sales

The shift from conventional on-farm machinery and clearing sales, to a digitised interfaced sale have been rapidly growing in recent years through AuctionsPlus, with 13 sales utilising the option so far in 2022. Vendors are realising that the choice of online connectivity helps bring a national footprint to the sale, with very little additional costs.

Cattle

Confidence and Sunshine Needed to Arrest Cattle Price Slide

The recent decline in the national cattle market has been substantial in the value of cents wiped off the benchmark EYCI. Dipping below 900c/kg this week would be both concerning for those that had done their sums on recent values with sales looming, but also those that purchased in the first half of the year. Indeed, leaning over the gate looking at cattle which are now far lower in value than the purchase price earlier in the year is never a great feeling.

Cattle

Tasmanian Producers Continue to Utilize AuctionsPlus for National Audience

The volume of Tasmanian livestock offered through AuctionsPlus during the past year has increased significantly, as vendors continue to see the benefits of the wider audience bought by the national platform. Total commercial cattle offered increased by 35% in 2021-22 (FY22), to 24,403 head, with sales increasing by 29%, to 21,166 head – achieving a clearance rate of 87%. Commercial sheep in Tasmania experienced similar growth during the year, with total offerings increasing 32% to 84,071 head and sales increasing 15% to 59,495 head.

Sheep & Lamb

Lamb chops (and changes): The rise of meat sheep in Southern Queensland

Traditionally in Queensland, Merinos have long been the backbone of the slowly declining sheep industry. However, recently emerging trends in AuctionsPlus data showcase the extent to which sheep and lamb breeds have shifted to more of a meat-breed preference. The combination of positive seasonal conditions paired with widespread uptake and effectiveness of exclusion fencing has driven a return to sheep production amongst Queensland producers. Across the 2021/22 financial year (FY22) southern Queensland sheep purchases doubled those made across the FY14-FY20 periods.

Cattle

Record 2021-22 for Auctionsplus Commercial Cattle Prices

The 2021-22 financial year was one of record prices for commercial cattle on AuctionsPlus. Milder summer conditions paired with ongoing pasture growth, spurred the desire of cattle producers to continue rebuilding herds - which subsequently pushed prices to all-time highs in January 2022. Average prices for all stock categories of commercial cattle increased between 19-44% from FY21 to FY22 – up 32% on average. Young steers increased 28% in average prices, while young heifers increased 32%, as breeding females increased by 33% in FY22 – reinforcing the strong herd rebuilding focus.

Goat

Something to buck about: Goat listings charging to new highs

AuctionsPlus commercial goat listings for the 2021-22 financial year totaled 154,041 head - a 25% rise on FY21. Buoyed by widespread positive seasonal conditions and fruitful breeding, goat listings have continued to rise as demand remains robust across all categories to reach an overall clearance of 76%. 

Cattle

The Fall and Rise of Auctionsplus Steer Weights

The recent run of wet years and significantly understocked paddocks since the start of 2020 has been clearly reflected in the turnoff weight of cattle through AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales. With little seasonal pressure to sell, ample pasture growth and the consistently rising market (at least until recently), the financial reward for holding longer has been significant for vendors, with buyers forced to compete fiercely for limited quality light lines.

Sheep & Lamb

Ramming Home the Benefits of Online Selling

AuctionsPlus seedstock ram sales have grown significantly in recent years, hitting 48,100 head for the most recent 2021-22 financial year – up from 4,128 head in 2017-18. With multiple packages to suit all seedstock producers, AuctionsPlus connects buyers nationwide across all forms of auctions, from online only sales through to live video streaming. 2021-22 registered a total of 390 ram sales held online – jumping 42% on the previous year.

Camels

Foxtrot - a new COVID Variant or a Camel?

With names like Foxtrot, Schnitz, Cupboard, Tango and Whiskey, you’d be mistaken into thinking AuctionsPlus was selling burgers, alcohol or even a new COVID variant, but for the second time on the platform, camels are back. With the unique names creating plenty of attention to the online catalogue, the largest un-reserved special dairy camel sale ran across five days as an online only sale.

Sheep & Lamb

Winter chill slows online White Suffolk offerings

White Suffolk listings through AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb sales during the first half of 2022 fell by 5%, to 152,816 head, as a fast start to the year was eroded by slow numbers through June. With a large portion of numbers anticipated to hit the box in the back end of the year, White Suffolk listings remain on track to challenge last year’s record-breaking numbers.

Machinery

Multi-vendor Machinery Madness

The AuctionsPlus multi-vendor clearing sale has undergone name and frequency changes since its establishment as a monthly auction in early 2018 and is currently run on a fortnightly basis - as the increasing number of lots has required a more frequent sale. The sale has a vast range of items on offer, from tractors and farm machinery, to vintage carts and golf clubs. Concerns regarding delivery lags, inflation and input costs has significantly increased the demand for second-hand equipment, leading to increased interest and activity in the fortnightly sale.

Cattle

Fast Start to 2022 for SA Livestock on AuctionsPlus

As eastern Australia registered another damp and gloomy autumn, with another wet winter on the cards, a large swathe of South Australia experienced a later than usual autumn break – which is set to impact feed supplies and stock numbers into the second half of the year. With the drier start to the year, commercial cattle, sheep and lamb numbers through AuctionsPlus out of SA so far in 2022 have hit record highs, underpinned by a large flow of stock interstate.

Cattle

What’s next for average bull prices?

Soaring cattle prices in the past two years has underpinned the record re-investment into the seedstock industry, as excellent seasonal conditions enable producers to introduce improved genetics into their slowly expanding herds.

Cattle

AuctionsPlus WA cattle sale continues to “knock out the centuries”

The WA Cattle Sale is an important feature of AuctionsPlus commercial sales platform, held most Monday’s at 3:30pm. Averaging 32 sales a year, the WA cattle sale has had the most consistent clearance rate on the platform, with 109 sales (57%) since 2016 achieving a “perfect” 100% clearance.

Working Dogs

Cold conditions no match for “Hot Dogs” at 2022 Casterton Working Dog Auction

Red-hot competition at the annual Casterton Working Dog Auction on Sunday helped to offset the bitterly cold conditions, with the average sale price jumping 16% on last year, at $8,850 per dog - with the “top dog” hitting $27,000. Interfaced with AuctionsPlus for the second year, this year's sale utilized pre-bidding, along with a live interface on sale day - allowing online buyers the opportunity to place bids in the lead up to, and on sale day.

Machinery

AuctionsPlus Machinery and Clearing sale activity remain hot in 2022

Machinery and clearing sale auctions have been rapidly growing on the AuctionsPlus platform in recent years, with the momentum being sustained into 2022. For the first five months of 2022, a total of 210 sales have been conducted, compared to 156 for the same period last year. In 2021, a total of 468 machinery and clearing sales were held on the platform – a 49% increase on 2020.

Cattle

Higher average value over reserves signals strong competition

Clearance rates and average prices from AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales are quick indicators for market trends. However, they don’t always tell the entire story of the auction process, especially when it comes to the balance between vendors expectations and buyers’ willingness. ‘Value over reserve’ is the difference between the vendors reserve price and the final sale price.

Cattle

Yearling Hereford bull hits record $91,000 in AuctionsPlus Monthly Genetics Sale

Described by Tobruk Beef as the “best calf we have produced to date”, Southern Cross S15 has scored a unique AuctionsPlus double - selling for $91,000. Along with taking out the highest price during AuctionsPlus’ monthly cattle stud and genetics sale, held on Friday June 3rd, Southern Cross S15 also set a new record high for a yearling Hereford bull – just two days after turning 12 months old.

Cattle

Red hot bull sale prices persist during a cold end to Autumn

As the weather cooled and rain gauges filled throughout May, the heat endured for bull sales through AuctionsPlus – both for interfaced and online selling options. For the past month, average prices increased by 45% on the same period in 2021, after increasing 50% from 2020 to 2021.

Sheep & Lamb

Joined Ewes: The Underlying Quality Fundamentals That Dictate Prices

Recent analysis from AuctionsPlus Insights (Joined ewes: Pregnancy Scanning, Premiums and Price Expectations) shows that scanned in lamb (SIL) ewes receive considerable premiums over station mated ewes, while other key fundamental factors driving the price differential can also weigh significantly into the prices returned. Scanning information, bloodline and breed of the sire joined also hold considerable weight in the purchase decisions and overall price point for breeding stock.

Sheep & Lamb

Joined Ewes: Pregnancy Scanning, Premiums and Price Expectations

With the Autumn months featuring shortened daylight hours and cooling temperatures, the period also traditionally records the largest influx of joined ewe listings through the AuctionsPlus platform. Reviewing AuctionsPlus listings across Autumn since 2018, 22% of all sheep listings are offered as joined lines, with scanned in lamb (SIL) making up 74% of the offering. 

Goat

A record price Doe is pretty GOAT

On Monday 16th May, the Queensland State Goat Breeders Sale, held at the Charleville Showgrounds took place, with 170 quality Bucks, Does and Embryos on offer. The sale was interfaced with AuctionsPlus, with plenty of action on the box assisting the strong auction average of $2,454 and the almost perfect clearance of 99%.

Sheep & Lamb

Deals continue to be done post-auction through Autumn

The mixed sheep and lamb market in recent weeks, along with widespread rainfall across NSW and Queensland, has reinforced the significance of post-sale negotiations in 2022, with the immediate clearance rate achieved at the end of the sale just the start of the action. As previously reported in “The real insight into sheep and lamb clearance rates” the multiple transaction points utilised when listing on AuctionsPlus tells a much deeper story about the market than just the final selling price.

Cattle

Does AI add more value to the PTIC?

Most producers would guess that PTIC females which have been Artificially Inseminated (AI) would return a price premium over those joined to bulls. AuctionsPlus sales results since the start of 2021 certainly backs up this belief, with AI breeders bringing an additional $400/head on average. The use of artificial breeding technologies such as AI has garnered increased attention from both seedstock and commercial producers in recent years, highlighted by the additional numbers being actively marketed through AuctionsPlus.

Working Dogs

Paws-itive results from Central West Queensland Working Dog Auction

In a first for working dog sales in Queensland, the Central West Working Dog auction held on Saturday 7th May, attracted a wider audience for their sale by interfacing on AuctionsPlus. The sale marked the second dog sale to be interfaced on the platform for 2022 which utilised pre-bidding; allowing online buyers the opportunity to place bids in the lead up to sale day, while the live video stream on the day allowed those online to not miss out on the dog trials and action of sale day.

Sheep & Lamb

AuctionsPlus Quarterly “Buyer and Seller Regional Rankings”

AuctionsPlus quarterly “Buyer and Seller Regional Rankings”  has been developed by the AuctionsPlus Insights team to increase market awareness regarding the transactional trends and regional movement of sheep and lambs through Australia’s largest livestock market. With all livestock sales on AuctionsPlus, the geographic data of the participants is provided, but remains confidential on an individual basis. However, the aggregation of the geographic data of buyers and sellers over a longer period, in this instance quarterly, can be very instructive and highlight various transactional and seasonal trends in regions across Australia.

Equine

Nutrien Supreme Equine Sale reins in plenty of attention

Held across three jampacked days, the 2022 Toowoomba Nutrien Supreme Equine sale was interfaced online for the second consecutive year this week, enabling users to view, listen and bid on the sale from across the country. Across the three-day schedule, the equine sale attracted a total of 1,672 user logins – averaging 297 registered bidders and 260 viewers each day.

Cattle

Tasmanian Producers Jumping On AuctionsPlus in 2022

2022 has seen a steady increase in the number of Tasmanian listings on AuctionsPlus for both sheep and cattle, with producers and agents reportedly adopting the platform to boost awareness and potential customers, especially from the mainland. For the first four months of 2022, AuctionsPlus weekly commercial Tasmanian sheep sales are up 38% on the same period last year, while cattle for the same period are up 40%.

AuctionsPlus

Favourites, Features & Views – Utilising all the AuctionsPlus tools available

Listing an assessment with AuctionsPlus brings wide reaching national exposure - an added benefit of selling online through the platform. Whether it’s through the weekly commercial sales, or specialized sales, the additional user information collected by AuctionsPlus provides excellent feedback for participants - including individual assessment views, pre-auction catalogue views and the number of user logins at auction.

Sheep & Lamb

Under the Micron-scope

Under the Micron-scope is an analysis of AuctionsPlus Merino data to investigate trends across the breakdown and distribution of wool fiber types transacted in commercial sales.

Sheep & Lamb

The real insight into sheep and lamb clearance rates

Clearance rates are an important performance indicator for auctions, providing an almost immediate insight into market sentiment for both vendors and buyers. A unique feature of the AuctionsPlus platform and reporting is the publication of commercial livestock clearance rates each week, as the multiple transaction points can tell a much deeper story about the market than just the final selling price.

Sheep & Lamb

More Vendors = More Spenders

Multi-vendor sales on AuctionsPlus have become increasingly popular in recent years, with a growing audience delivering excellent range, prices, and feedback for participants. Joint marketing efforts from local regions and agencies have helped to drive a large amount of traffic online, allowing multiple vendors to connect with a significantly larger customer base.

Cattle

Online WA Consolidation During Isolation

As WA faced some “self-imposed isolation” in the past two years, this certainly wasn’t the case for online livestock producers, with the uptake and listing on AuctionsPlus accelerating in recent years. Blighted by patchy seasonal conditions and lured by excellent prices in the east, WA producers have been increasingly willing to use Australia’s largest livestock selling platform to maximize potential sales in recent years.

Sheep & Lamb

2021 highest year on record for Dorper Listings

2021 was a remarkable year for the shedding breed market, and Dorpers were no exception - registering the largest yearly throughput on record with AuctionsPlus. All Dorper listings in 2021 reached 300,197 head, 56% higher than 2020, and 97% higher than the record low of 2019. An increase in year-on-year listings underpins the robust demand for shedding breed stock and the overall expansion of the shedding market.

Machinery

Glenroy Clearing Sale Grosses 7.2 million dollars

The Glenroy Clearing Sale was held on property on Wednesday the 2nd of March at Penola, SA with AuctionsPlus interfacing the sale to include live audio and online bidding across the sale. The auction comprised of 315 lots, of which 307 sold at auction, 5 passed in and 3 lots received no bids. With a range of items including: tractors, trucks, motor vehicles, trailers, cropping and hay equipment to livestock items. The fierce demand and resulting sale outcome showcase the strength of the current booming Agricultural industry, with producers sparing no expense on quality to reinvest and strengthen their operations.

Working Dogs

Something to bark about: Jerilderie Working Dog Sale musters up record breaking results

The annual Jerilderie working dog auction held on Saturday 26th February, which was interfaced with AuctionsPlus, had a total of 59 dogs catalogued. Breaking the Australian record for the highest average across a working dog sale, the Jerilderie auction registered an average of $10,580 - an increase of over $500/dog from 2021. The current robust shape of the sheep and cattle markets, combined with the shortage of labour and renewed “publicity” in trained working dogs, helped ignited competition. Pre-auction demonstrations began early Saturday morning, followed by the sale, which was met with a swathe of bidding from both AuctionsPlus bidders and at the physical sale.

Sheep & Lamb

AuctionsPlus Lamb Breed Breakdown

As we approach two years since drought breaking rains swept across much of the eastern seaboard in March 2020, which ignited a restocking crusade, lamb prices rose to new highs in 2021. As record high volumes of new season lambs hit the market during the final quarter of 2021, prices showed the first signs of responding to increased supply, as a price shift became evident during the closing months of 2021.

Sheep & Lamb

Central West NSW clean sweeps 2021 quarterly sheep & lamb purchases

A review of the regional purchasing habits through AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb sales in the December quarter of 2021 has outlined a clear flock rebuilding trend, with the focus for the rebuild primarily driven through the Riverina and Central West NSW regions. Underpinned by the very wet year across many eastern regions, mild temperatures and an upbeat industry outlook, the national flock rebuild is set to continue at a significant pace into 2022.

Equine

Strong online presence at record breaking Nutrien Classic sale

Spread across 5 action packed days the 15th Nutrien Classic performance horse sale held in Tamworth, NSW has seen Australian records smashed. Following the conclusion of the sale the total gross was $17,136,000 with an incredible clearance of 92.13% and overall average of $27,113.92 which is the biggest and strongest in the history of the Classic.

Cattle

Southern Queensland flexed its buying muscles in final quarter of 2021

Southern Queensland asserted its dominance over the Australian cattle market in the final quarter of 2021, flexing its considerable purchasing muscle to cement the top spot in AuctionsPlus’ quarterly buying rankings. In the final quarter of 2021, of the 187,275 head offered through AuctionsPlus, 169,187 head were sold – a clearance rate of 90%.

Goat

No kidding - record numbers for AuctionsPlus commercial goat sale

The AuctionsPlus commercial goat market started 2022 at a rapid pace, with the largest weekly offering on record registered on Tuesday, January 11, with 15,548 head offered across 31 lots. While the recent headlines continue to be dominated by record cattle prices, the Australian goat market continues to steadily expand, underpinned by robust export demand and excellent production conditions.

Sheep & Lamb

Strong start to 2022 for sheep and lambs

The first AuctionsPlus weekly commercial sheep and lamb sales for 2022 held on Tuesday, January 4th, had a total offering of 38,817 head listed across the two sales. While the first week of the new year is always rather quiet, listings from Tuesdays’ sale were 66% higher than the corresponding week in 2021. Although sheep and lamb listing numbers were comparatively low against a ‘regular’ sale week, the aftermath of a rain-disrupted end to 2021 may see January throughput considerably higher than in 2021.

Yearly Reports

AuctionsPlus End of Year Summary - 2021

AuctionsPlus CEO, Angus Street, acknowledges that more people are looking to trade, share and collaborate online with more than 200,000 users coming to the platform in 2021. “Our team feel extremely fortunate to continue to support the agriculture community to thrive”

Auction Preview

Good numbers to farewell 2021

The final Tuesday of AuctionsPlus’ commercial sheep and lamb sales for 2021 has seen an excellent number of stock locked-in, with many producers keen to secure sales prior to the holiday break. A catalogued 137,537 sheep and lambs are listed online, with just shy of 96,000 head of lambs. The total weekly listing is 11% higher than last week and 4% lower than the corresponding final week of sales in 2020.

Cattle

AuctionsPlus 2022 Cattle Market Outlook

“2022 will be a year of fundamentals versus history for the Australian cattle market” The amazing run of the Australian cattle market looks like ending 2021 at all-time highs, with the fundamentals of rain, lack of supply and La Nina underpinning the market. However, the once-in-a-generation conditions look set to face the weight of history as 2022 progresses, with prices set to decline as two years of herd rebuilding finally starts feeding through the industry.

Cattle

Numbers edge high as summer heat forecast for final selling week

The largest AuctionsPlus commercial cattle offering in five weeks has been catalogued for sale tomorrow, with 16,250 head scheduled. While logistics and access across several regions are still hampered by recent heavy falls, this week’s offering is more in line with “normal” December numbers, especially with the holiday period closures looming.

Working Dogs

Interfaced Working Dog Sales the New Normal

AuctionsPlus have been involved with working dog auctions for several years, but the growth the industry has seen in recent years has been rapid, with sales embracing online connectivity at physical sales to expand the potential avenue to buyers. Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 have pushed the industry further, forced to adopt online selling methods due to the unfortunate movement restrictions and border closures. The past two years has seen a huge evolution from traditional selling practices, and although missing the social aspect of a sale, descriptions, photos, and videos have allowed vendors to sell their dogs to a national audience.

Auction Preview

Christmas flush for sheep and lambs

Following a subdued offering of sheep and lambs on AuctionsPlus for the final week of spring, the first week of December has put the bells on many producers to sell new season lambs prior to Christmas. A total of 122,459 head are catalogued across both National sheep and lamb sales – 18% higher than last week’s numbers yet 13% below the same week in 2020.

Cattle

Cattle numbers tight again as disruptions increase

The supply of cattle booked in for tomorrows AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales remains seasonally tight, as the fallout from the wettest November in over a century continues to both frustrate and entice producers. With just over 15,000 head catalogued across the two sales, competition is again anticipated to be fierce, with another very large registration of bidders expected, following last week’s 34% weekly increase in auction participants.

Auction Preview

Lowest weekly listing for November

As the beginning of summer and the 1st of December looms, the last AuctionsPlus National Sheep and Lamb sales for November are set to have a total of 98,952 head listed online- the lowest weekly offering for the month. La Nina has certainly taken hold across much of the eastern states as weekly offerings of sheep and lambs are back 23% from last week and 38% less than the same week in 2020. Whilst late November is usually renowned for voluminous numbers of new season lambs hitting the market, full rain gauges have left many producers with little option but to hold off selling until paddocks dry up and lambs receive some sunshine on their backs to reignite weight gain.

Cattle

High rain gauges keep cattle numbers low…again

Another exceptionally wet week across the eastern states has suppressed cattle numbers for AuctionsPlus commercial sales on Friday 26th November. With just below 14,000 head on offer across the main two sales, it is the fourth consecutive week that numbers have been below the corresponding weeks in 2020.

Goat

Big Bucks at Cobar Goat Sale

The second annual Red and Black Goat sale, held on Wednesday at Cobar, delivered another impressive result for vendors, highlighting the confidence flowing through all livestock sectors in 2021. The headline result for the sale was an Australian Buck record, with Lot 17, “Marrakesh” selling for $21,000/head. This lot had plenty of pre-auction hype and action, with five different bidders competing for the buck, which eventually sold to the Mosley family from Etiwanda Stud, Cobar.

Cattle

The rise of smaller lots of cattle on AuctionsPlus

AuctionsPlus has long carried the perception that smaller offerings of cattle are not suited for the platform, with small lots traditionally making up a minor percentage of the catalogue. Indeed, it was perceived that smaller scale cattle vendors traditionally sold through saleyards – with online selling viewed as unviable due to the belief that the buyers operating on the platform were generally looking for at least a “deck” of cattle. An analysis of lot sizes offered through the weekly national cattle sales demonstrates that there has been a substantial rise of smaller sized lots offered on AuctionsPlus during 2020 and 2021.

Auction Preview

Rain continues to hold numbers back

This week’s AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb offerings rebounded 18% on last week, to approximately 120,000 head. Given last week’s very wet disruption to the market, and more rain expected again this week, producers’ frustration continues to be compounded, whether it’s for marketable livestock or harvestable weather conditions.

Cattle

What if the young cattle market falls as quick as it rose?

By any expectation, the record-breaking “bull” run of the cattle market throughout 2021 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Show me a producer who at the start of 2021, was making marketing decisions for an EYCI at 1,100c/kg in mid-November! Remember, the first EYCI reading for 2021 was 830.75c/kg cwt.

Sheep Breed Breakdown

AuctionsPlus Inaugural Sheep & Lamb Breed Breakdown

The Australian livestock market has been on an unprecedented two-year run, with prices across the board surging into uncharted territory. On the back of the strong market, the inaugural sheep and lamb breed breakdown has been developed to showcase just how far the market has come. As previously reported in the AuctionsPlus Cattle Breed Breakdown, the AuctionsPlus Market Insights (AMI) team have reviewed sheep and lamb data since 2016 to ascertain the most popular sheep and lamb breeds that have been listed over the past six years.

Cattle

Widespread November rain brings both pain and gain

The supply of cattle scheduled for tomorrows AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales is back for the second consecutive week, as the widespread rain throughout the first two weeks of November continues to impact stock movements and logistics. The 14,400 head catalogued across the three main commercial sales is down 14% on the previous week and almost 30% from the same period last year.

Cattle

The amazing “hot-air balloon” young cattle market

The amazing run of the young cattle market, which commenced in early 2020, continues to astound sellers, frustrate buyers, and confound market watchers. From unprecedented, to unrelenting, with more highs than a Byron Bay music festival, the path of the cattle market since drought breaking rains has looked like a mountains stage of the Tour de France.

Market Insights

2021 Busiest Stud Season in AuctionsPlus History

As the dust settles from another massive AuctionsPlus stud season in 2021, it is timely to review and analyze the online performance of the 367 sequential sales undertaken. Sequential sales (SEQ) are when the lots in the auction are offered for sale sequentially one at time and usually comprise of a physical sale with the addition of online bidding functionality.

Auction Preview

Flooding rain brings lowest lamb offering of Spring

The extremely heavy rainfall that soaked eastern Australia over the past week has contributed to a considerable contraction in online offerings this week. With the lowest weekly commercial offerings since late August, at just under 97,000 head, the logistical issues of moving stock, combined with the immediate concerns around flooding has understandably put selling lambs on the backburner.

Cattle

Amherst weaner sale to plant early flag for 2022 expectations

One of the first shots for the upcoming weaner season will get fired this week, with the pre-sale catalogue views for the Amherst Circuit Weaner Sale a clear indication of the rampant demand for weaner cattle in late spring. Along with the normal Friday commercial cattle sales, over 18,500 head of weaners, yearlings and breeding stock will be offered throughout Friday.

Market Insights

It ain’t over until it’s over: A peek into the after-auction negotiations

In many instances, the result once the final whistle blows is only part of the story. It is the intrigue and negotiations after the event however, which prove more instructive than the final score. The past few weeks has seen the post-auction activity for AuctionsPlus commercial livestock sales reach historically high levels, especially for the sheep and lamb market, as the back-and-forth between vendors expectations and buyers’ willingness lifts clearance rates in the days following the sale.

Equine

Hard work pays off for students at the Tocal Approved Australian Stock Horse Sale

The hard work and skills of students paid-off in many ways over the weekend, with AuctionsPlus hosting the Tocal Approved Australian Stock Horse Sale. Held as an online only sale, facilitated through Hunter Valley agents Bowe & Lidbury, the overall result exceeded the 2020 result by 15%, with returns grossing over $215,000 for the 12 lots sold.

Auction Preview

Hat trick takes spring lambs numbers beyond 1.5 million

The third consecutive week of over 150,000 head offered through AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb sales will continue to challenge current market levels, with new season lambs again expected to meet careful buying in tomorrow’s National Lamb Sale. Assisted by the recent surge in numbers out of SA, AuctionsPlus lamb offerings so far in spring have edged past 1.5 million this week – an increase of 32% on the same period in 2020, and 500,000 more than in the drought impacted period of 2019.

Cattle

Big numbers flow again!

The very familiar story in 2021 of widespread rain and enthusiastic buyers will again underpin a comparatively large offerings of cattle through AuctionsPlus three main commercial cattle sales on Friday 5th November. Given last week’s price jump through the young cattle lines, the 19,635 head offered this week will again bring some very healthy returns for vendors.

Cattle

Tasmania feeling the cattle market heat in 2021

The hot cattle market hasn’t just been limited to the mainland in 2021, with some excellent results and growth through AuctionsPlus Tasmanian sales. For the September quarter of 2021, the number of Tasmanian cattle listed through AuctionsPlus increased 9% year-on-year, and an 8% increase in the number of vendors was registered – with an additional 165 buyers in 2021 securing cattle.

Cattle

Cattle starting to flow

The onset of the warmer weather has contributed to the increased flow of cattle into the AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales for Friday 29th October. With 18,160 head catalogued for sale, and over 14,000 head in the two Weaner and Yearling auctions, it should prove to be another good test of the buyer sentiment in the market as the physical markets hit new highs again this week.

Cattle

Here come the big boys!

The flow of 400kg+ steers through AuctionsPlus has been at all-time highs in the past two months, with 11,891 head offered during September and October – compared to 5,500 head in 2020 and only 1,250 in the depths of the drought in 2019. The combination of the excellent seasonal conditions through many regions has fueled the production base, while the recent record prices has served as the lure to attract numbers into the market.

Auction Preview

Massive lamb numbers hitting the box

The last week of October is set to host yet another colossal offering of sheep and lambs across AuctionsPlus commercial sheep and lamb sales for Tuesday 26th October. The preliminary offering of 162,000 head is pushing up against the all-time high set only two weeks earlier at 164,375 head. Over the past five weeks, an additional 200,000 head of sheep and lambs have been offered through AuctionsPlus, compared to the corresponding period in 2020.

Market Insights

NSW dominates AuctionsPlus lamb and sheep trade in September quarter

During the third quarter of 2021 (1 July – 30 September 2021), there was a total of 1.25 million sheep and lambs offered through the AuctionsPlus platform – an increase of 24% on the third quarter of 2020. Across the regions, the largest contributor to the 1.25 million head offered for the quarter was the NSW Riverina region, at 250,431 head, followed by Central West NSW and Western NSW, with 182,929 head and 116,919 head, respectively. Across the top three regions, total throughput numbers for sheep and lambs were up considerably year-on-year, with the Riverina offerings increasing 29%, NSW Central West 84% and Western NSW 47%.

Cattle

Plenty of heat expected for 15,000 head offering

The number of cattle to be offered through the three commercial cattle sales for AuctionsPlus on Friday 22nd October is up 15% on the previous week, at 15,645 head. After a somewhat drier week throughout most of the key cattle regions of eastern Australia, demand is expected to again be very high across all categories, with the continuation of record results through many physical markets this week.

Sheep & Lamb

2021 on track to surpass 2020s record listings

Since AuctionsPlus first article for the White Suffolk society newsletter in June 2021, listings for the breed on AuctionsPlus have continued to increase. Listings for June to September 2021 have increased 12% on the same period in 2020, totaling 150,693 head. Over this four-month period listings have been dominated by new season lambs, with 64,683 head listed in September alone.

Auction Preview

132,725 head across the two sales

In the wake of the largest week of commercial sheep and lamb sales in the history of AuctionsPlus, offerings have eased back this week, at 132,725 head across the two sales. While back 23% on last week, numbers this week are 20% above the same week in 2020.

Property

Red hot AuctionsPlus Property sales hit $31.5 million

The past week saw some astounding results for four rural properties sold exclusively through AuctionsPlus, totaling $31.5 million, as two sales smashed their initial reserves within minutes of the sale commencing. As a burgeoning segment of the AuctionsPlus platform, recent online rural property sales results have mirrored the record livestock results and scorching confidence being felt right through the agricultural sector.

Cattle

The rising tide lifts all breeds

AuctionsPlus is Australia’s largest cattle market, with throughput for the past twelve months of 829,397 head (1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021). In the most recent September quarter, AuctionsPlus had 218,189 head offered online – an increase of 15% on the same period in 2020.

Cattle

Waiting, Watching & Wet

It is a second consecutive week of lower cattle offerings through AuctionsPlus, with a total of 13,514 head listed across the three commercial cattle sales – down 29% on the same week last year. As has been the case for much of 2021, weather remains the main influence, with further falls through key cattle regions of NSW and southern Queensland during the first two weeks of October enabling many producers to wait, plan and watch the market.

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