Restockers active at Blackall cattle sale

They outlaid 292 cents per kilogram or $1076 for the Droughtmaster and Droughtmaster/Charbray cross females, that came in with an average weight of 368kg.

They’ll be helping to fill the paddocks of newly-purchased Knobdale station, which adjoins the Joseland’s property Eltham, situated south of Isisford on the Barcoo River.

Bought from Colin and Sherilee Hoch, Tim said the 7284ha (18,000 acre) place was made up of pulled buffel country as well as pebbly downs.

“We plan to calve these cattle down and sell the progeny,” Tim said. “It’ll be a good plan, so long as it rains.”

The lack of rain over spring and hot conditions meant people were probably a little cautious about what they bought at the 1700-head sale, GDL’s Jack Burgess said. “Once the storms start up, you watch the prices go then.”

He said the market had been firm on better quality cattle and slightly cheaper on lesser quality, and the 1700-head yarding had been mixed.

“Some feedlot operators weren’t there but all processors were, and there were plenty of local restockers in action, as well as Peter Daniels buying for our clients in the south.”

Jack said there weren’t many lightweight cattle in the yarding but what was there brought good money.

Charolais/Droughtmaster cross weaner steers from Barcaldine weighing 220kg brought close to $4, while Charolais cross weaner store heifers of a similar weight brought 350 cents/kg.