Bullocks top 277c at Towers

The prime cattle consisted of 419 bullocks, 48 heifers, 768 cows and 93 bull, while store cattle consisted of 281 steers, 246 heifers and 76 cows and calves.

Cattle comprised of some very good quality, well finished lines of bullocks and cows with the yarding drawn from Croyden, Chillagoe, Georgetown, Mt Surprise, Hughenden and local and coastal areas.

Bullocks and bulls went against the trend of most other selling centres this week due to competition from processors, wholesalers, live exporters and feed-lotters.

Bullocks were quoted 5-10c dearer, heifers were 5c easier and cows were 2-5c easier on last week’s rates.

Ray White Rural proprietor, Kevin Currie, said he was expecting a down turn but the sale went very well.

“The bullocks sold exceptionally well as the live exporters were there wanting heavy cattle to ship to Vietnam, so they propped the market up good,” Mr Currie said.

“There has also been rain south of here to Nebo and over to Rockhampton in which some people have reported three inches so that always lifts the market.

Prime quotes saw bullocks top at 277c/kg for a pen of 18 well-finished Santa bullocks, sold on account of JOS Allingham, Southwick, Charters Towers, that weighed 621kg to return $1723 per head.

Best priced trade heifers were presented on account of RA & EE Fryer, Tabletop. Hervey’s Range which made 269c/kg to weigh 460kg and return $1238 per head.

The top pen of cows were sold by Pajingo Pastoral Co, Pajingo, Charters Towers, for 220c/kg and weighed 568kg to return $1251 per head.

A line of six decks of sows on account of Turley Cattle Company, Nulla Nulla, Charters Towers, made 209c/kg, averaged 511kg and returned $1070 per head.

Bulls sold on account of KN Young, Georgetown, topped at 280c/kg and weighed 830kg to return $2325 per head.

Vendor Malcolm Andison from Braceborough, Charters Towers, was selling a few odds and ends.

“We had a pen that sold for good money, considering the season we’ve had,” Mr Andison said.

“We got the most grass we have had in seven years but in saying that we only got half of what we should have, so it hasn’t been good.

“The market seams strong and it has been a good sale here today.”

Store cattle consisted of no major lines. There were smaller lots of mixed cattle which sold to similar prices to last week.

A pen of 12 Brahman steers on account of RD & LA French, Gilberton Station, Einasleigh, made 374c/kg, weighed 221kg and realised $829 per head.

A good pen of 14 light-weight heifers on account of DW & DN Davison made 300c/kg, weighed 167kg and returned a good average of $503 per head.

Cows and calves sold on account of Dixon Grazing, Bagstone, Einasleigh, returned $1340 per unit.

The next prime and store sale is booked for Wednesday May 17.