Dry conditions send NT heifers to Blackall market

Speaking on behalf of the sellers, Cameron Wilson, Elders Brisbane, said they knew they could meet a deteriorating market but the offload was necessary as it got drier in that part of the Northern Territory.

“It’s too dry in too large an area of Australia, unfortunately,” Mr Wilson said. “People are reluctant to take the risk with cattle going into winter.”

A mixture of feedlot buyers and restockers were in the market for the milk, two and four tooth heifers, the greater proportion of which had been HGP treated.

The red pens were the highlight of the sale, with the top being a pen of Droughtmaster cross milk and two tooths selling for 193.2c/kg, at 384kg, returning $742.14.

Two other pens, of 23 and 27 head, described as Droughtmaster Santa cross, also made 193.2c/kg, weighing 332.8kg for $642.93.

A four tooth pen of the same cattle brought 186c.2c/kg. Weighing 390kg, they returned $725.78 a head.

Thirty-two four tooth Charbrays went for 178.2c/kg, weighing 371kg and returning $661.57.

A pen of 31 younger Charbray heifers brought 166.2c/kg, weighing 383kg and a price per head of $636.39.

All up, the consignment averaged 155c/kg at an average weight of 353kg.

The total yarding by Blackall combined agents, of 1318 head, saw cattle drawn from Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho, Hughenden, Longreach, Tambo,  Blackall and the Northern Territory.

With a full panel of buyers in attendance and local restockers active, the sale followed market trends across the eastern states, with cattle being firm to dearer across all descriptions.

BF Birchley & RC Birchley, Gartmore, Tambo sold a top quality pen of Braford bullocks to a top of 242.2c weighing 677kg returning $1640. 

Edkins Campbell & Co, Bimbah, Longreach sold Charbray steers to a top of 2.52/kg weighing 505kg to return $1273 per head.

DF Arnold & LA Anderson, Spring Creek, Blackall sold a top quality draft of Droughtmaster x cows to a top of 200.2c weighing 616kg returning $1232.

WP & KM Watkin, Barcoorah, Aramac sold a quality pen of Brahman cows to a top of 192.2c weighing 454kg returning $873.

Braemar Investments Pty Ltd, Lighthouse, Blackall sold Santa Gertrudis cows for 194.2c/kg weighing 549kg to return $1066/hd.

Beco Pastoral Trust, Lennox, Jericho sold Brahman cows to a top of 195 c/kg weighing 483kg to return $944 per head.

Ballater Pastoral Company, Hughenden sold a top quality line of Droughtmaster/Hereford x steers to a top of 282.2c weighing 310kg returning $876.00.

Recruit Investments sold Simmental cross weaners, steers topping at 299.2c/kg and heifers at 241.2c/kg. AJ & MI Van Lathum, Forest Hill, Barcaldine sold Brahman steers for 222.2c/kg weighing 182kg to return $405/hd.

Ballater Pastoral Company also sold a top quality draft of Droughtmaster/Hereford x heifers to a top of 258.2c weighing 283kg returning $730.00. 

Lorne Grazing, Blackall sold a Charbray cross bull for 174.2c/kg weighing 815kg to return $1228/hd.

The next sale is a weaner and store sale scheduled for May 31.