Charters Towers yards 1331 head at weekly sale

Prime cattle comprised 77 bullocks, 49 heifers, 140 cows and 12 bulls.

Cattle comprised of small lines of prime cattle, with store cattle dominating the numbers presented. The yarding was drawn from Richmond, Hughenden, Torrens Creek, local and coastal areas.

The best prime cattle on offer sold to a stronger market, however plainer cattle struggled to maintain rates. Bullocks were quoted as 10c dearer, while cows were 15c dearer on the previous sale.

Heifers to 440kg topped at 140c/kg to average 100c, no heifers over 440kg yarded.

Cows to 400kg made 108c to average 70c, while those over 400kg hit 130c to average 109c.

Steers to 500kg reached 152c to average 130c, while those over 500kg peaked at 156c to average 150c.

Bulls to 450kg made 105c to average 100c.

Bullocks topped at 156c for five ox sold by ED Cattle Co, Redcliffe, Hughenden, which weighed 714kg to return $1115 per head, they also sold while bulls to a top of 105c which weighed 781kg to return $820p/h.

The top pen of cows were sold by B and J Epple, Alstonvale, Hughenden, for 125c which weighed 536kg and returned $671p/h, they also sold the the best priced trade heifers for 140c which weighed 535kg and returned $749p/h.

Cows topped at 130c for one cow sold by BM Whelan, Charters Towers, to weigh 505kg and return $656p/h.

Store cattle consisted of 306 steers, 622 heifers, 58 cows and 67 cows and calves.

Store cattle were comprised of two major vendor lines along with numerous smaller consignments. In line with other centres, Store cattle struggled to maintain rates, with plainer cattle in particular selling to limited competition.

Steers to 200kg topped at 111c to average 102c, 200-320kg steers made 110c to average 100c, steers 320-400kg hit 114c to average 91, while those over 400kg reached 132c to average 116c.