A TOTAL of 1869 cattle consisting of 1098 prime cattle and 771 store cattle were yarded at the Charters Towers weekly sale held on September 2.
The prime sector was comprised of 252 bullocks, 80 heifers, 731 cows and 35 bulls.
Cattle consisted of mostly meatworks cattle with 70 per cent of the meatworks cattle consisting of cows. Despite dry conditions the yarding was generally of fair condition and was drawn from Burketown, Normanton, Croydon, Forsayth, Georgetown, Einasleigh, Winton, Hughenden, Cuthalungra, Ayr, Collinsville, Ingham, Trebonne, Pentland, Clermont, local and coastal areas.
Bullocks were quoted 3-8c/kg dearer, heifers were 7-13c dearer and heavy cows were 10-15c dearer and lighter cows sold to similar rates.
Heifers to 440kg made 235c to average 197c, no heifers over 440kg. Cows to 400kg made 230c to average 186c, cows over 400kg made 256c to average 233c.
Steers to 500kg made 259c to average 239c, steers over 500kg made 277c to average 255.
Bulls over 450kg made 266c to average 229c.
Bullocks topped at 277c for five Brahman-cross bullocks sold by Everglades Trading, Gainsford, Charters Towers, weighing 640kg to return $1774/head.
The top priced trade heifers were presented by Blue Valley Cattle Co, Blue Valley Station, Collinsville making 230c to weigh 366kg and return $841. They also sold
The top pen of cows which reached 250c weighing 470kg to return $1175.
Bulls sold by PW & LM Maitland, Oak Valley Station, Einasleigh, topped at 266c and weighed 780kg to return $2076.
Store cattle yarded comprised 279 steers, 353 heifers, 110 mickeys and 29 cows and calves.
The 771 store cattle yarded were from all over North Queensland with the quality Brahman and quality crossbreds receiving the most attention and selling to very good rates with most interest coming from southern buyers and one live-exporter.
Steers to 200kg made 265c to average 224c, steers 200-320kg made 221c to average 192c and steers 320-400kg made 247c to average 215. Mickey bulls to 450kg made 244.2c to average 188c.
Heifers to 200kg made 208c to average 189c, heifers 200-320kg made 212c to average 171c and heifers 320-370kg made 230c to average 228c.
A line of 21 Brahman-cross steers sold by Stringer Family Trust, Charters Towers, made 265c and weighed 151kg to return $400.
A good pen of 15 Brahman-cross heifers sold by Blue Valley Cattle Co made 230c, weighing 322kg to return a good average of $741.
The top price cows and calves were sold by BL & DM Cowie, Gypsy Park, Woodstock, returning $1110/unit.