The truism “there’s money in mud” was certainly in evidence at the Blackall cattle sale on Thursday, which operated in pouring rain.
Despite the conditions there were plenty of smiles from agents and vendors as prices equalled the best ever seen at the yards.
Barcaldine’s Bill Chandler yarded Charolais heifers weighing 202kg for a return of 417 cents per kilogram or $844 per head, while the steer portion, weighing 210kg received fierce competition and an eventual price of 430c/kg or $906/hd.
They were part of a yarding of 3382 head which saw five restockers operating along with feedlot and meatworks buyers, including for the first time at Blackall a processor from the Wide Bay region.
Thursday’s rain was widespread across central and southern Queensland and is pretty much guaranteed to grow grass for producers now, further tightening supply.
The money on offer would still be an inducement for some to sell, and would be a windfall for producers such as Bill Chandler turning off their yearly numbers, according to Andrew Turner, representing Ray White Livestock at Blackall.
Cattle were drawn from Aramac, Barcaldine, Muttaburra, Winton, Tambo, Stonehenge, Jundah, Jericho, Isisford, and the Blackall district.
Bullocks and cows were firm to slightly dearer, feeder steers and heifers were up on previous sales, with a larger number of feeder cattle on offer.
Adams & Son, Darracourt” Blackall topped the market with their Simmental X Cows making 274.2c/kg weighing 699kg, returning $1917/hd.
The Birchley family, Gartmore, Tambo sold Braford bullocks for 308.2c/kg weighing 532kg to return $1639/hd.
BA & NE Wehl, Audreystone, Barcaldine sold Brahman steers weighing 492kg for 306.2c/kg returning $1507/hd. Their Brahman cows went for 254.2c/kg weighing 504kg to return $1280/hd whilst their Brahman feeder heifers weighing 404kg made 324.2c/kg returning $1311/hd.
GC & JA Peck, Purtora, Blackall sold Charolais cross cows for 262.2c/kg weighing 645kg returning $1691/hd.
Kirby Smith, Strathroy, Hughenden sold Droughtmaster cows for 256.2c/kg weighing 519kg returning $1329/hd.
The Bambling Family, Glenavon, Aramac sold red Brahman steers for 386.2c/kg weigh 332kg returning $1280/hd, with their heifer portion making 360c/kg, weighing 265kg, returning $954/hd.
Taylor Dennis Pastoral, Coolagh, Blackall sold Braford cross steers for 396.2c/kg, weighing 268kg to return $1063/hd, with their heifers making 388.2c/kg, weighing 238kg, returning $924/hd.
Mt Macquarie Past Co, Blackall sold Simmental cross mickies for 370.2c/kg, weighing 331kg, returning $1225/hd.
Wololla Partnership, Jericho sold Brahman cross steers for 396.2c/kg weighing 238kg returning $942/hd.
H & S Glasson, Greenlaw, Yaraka, sold Droughtmaster weaner bulls to top at 342c/kg weighing 430kg for a return of $1472.
Alice Downs, Blackall, sold Santa Gertrudis cows weighing 622kg to top at 263.2c/kg returning $1637/hd.
Rich Enterprises, Boorara, Blackall, sold Charolais composite bulls for 263.2c/kg returning at $2435/hd.
P & DA Pidgeon of Glenroy, Stonehenge sold Santa steers to a top of 396c/kg weighing 341kg to return $1351 per head. Their younger Santa steers topped at 426c/kg weighing 266kg to return $1135 per head. They also sold Santa heifers to a top of 406 c/kg weighing 254kg to return $1031 per head.
B & J Hall of Bibil, Muttaburra" sold Droughtmaster cows to a top of 258c/kg weighing 662kg to return $1710 per head. Their bulls sold to a top of 269c/kg weighing 740kg to return $1992 per head. Angus cross heifers from the same vendor sold to a top of 269c/kg weighing 410kg to return $1105 per head.
WG and GL Seeney off agistment at The Patrick, Barcaldine sold Santa steers to a top of 376 c/kg weighing 363kg to return $1367 per head. They also sold Santa heifers to a top of 371c/kg weighing 321 kg to return $1192 per head.
MW & AL Seymour from Tambo sold PTIC Brahman cross heifers for $1200 per head.
TJ & FE Ludgate from Blackall sold Droughtmaster cows and calves for $1353.30 per head
Moonbong Partnership, Ravensbourne, Blackall consigned a line of Santa Gertrudis cows weighing 612kg making 269c/kg returning $1649 with a pen of 524kg cows selling to 270c/kg to return $1416.
AC & K Day, Jaccondoll, Barcaldine sold 22 Charolais cross cows weighing 624kg, realising 266c/kg to return $1662.
Braemar Investments, Lighthouse, Blackall sold Droughtmaster cows weighing 608kg at 264c/kg for a $1605 return.
WEC Industries, Mellew, Barcaldine sold Brangus cross cows at a price of 262c/kg weighing 526kg to return $1380. TRW Contracting, Mellew, Barcaldine sold bullocks at 635kg to average 300c/kg and return $1906 per head.
Richard Moore, Longreach sold Santa steers weighing 526kg selling to 308c/kg to return $1622.