Charters Towers Combined Agents yarded a total of 1640 head last week, an increase of 600. Cattle consisted of 509 prime cattle and 1131 store cattle. The prime cattle consisted of 175 bullocks, 36 heifers, 263 cows and 35 bulls. Store cattle consisted of 725 steers, 332 heifers and 74 cows and calves.
There were increased numbers of prime cows and bullocks and several lines of store steers and heifers of variable quality.
Overall, quality was generally good, with most cattle showing improved weight and condition from the recent wet season. One regular processor and feeder buyer were notably absent, however one regular processor was in attendance for the first time in 2019. Two live exporters were very active on suitable lines, although there was limited feeder buyer activity and restockers were very selective on all store lines.
The yarding was drawn from Burketown, Croydon, Richmond, Hughenden, Georgetown as well as local and coastal areas.
Prime Quotes:
Heavy bullocks were quoted as 5c dearer, heifers were 20c easier, cows were 30c easier and bulls were 15c dearer compared to previous rates. Steers and bullocks under 500kg sold to 285c and averaged 246c, and those over 500kg topped at 288c to average 273c. Heifers under 440kg sold to 221c and averaged 186c. Cows under 400kg made 180c and averaged 141c, while cows over 400kg reached 214c, averaging 180c. Bulls under 450kg made 281c and averaged 235c, while bulls over 450kg reached 286c to average 247c. Bullocks topped at 284c, sold on a/c Paul Minuzzo that weighed 670kg to return $1904/head.
Best priced trade heifers were presented on a/c W and M Woodard that sold 221c and weighed at 434kg to return $962/head. The top pen of cows were sold by Philipson Holdings for 214c and weighed 546kg to return $1168/head. Bulls sold on a/c Scona Pastoral topped at 286c and weighed 670kg, to return $1917/head.
Store Quotes:
Store cattle were made up of lines of quality store steers and heifers drawn from Georgetown, Ravenswood as well as local and coastal areas. Steers under 200kg reached 274c to average 260c, steers 200 - 320kg sold to 274c, averaging 245c, steers 320 - 400kg topped at 270c and averaged 246c. Heifers under 200kg topped at 186c and averaged 158c, heifers 200 - 320kg sold to 186c, averaging 147c, while heifers 320 - 370kg made 140c to average 132c.
A pen of seven steers a/c BN and AJ Bethel made 273c and weighed 294kg, returning an average of $802/head. A pen of 20 heifers a/c KW and SD Fry made 186c, weighed 265kg and returned an average of $493/head. Two cows and calves sold on a/c EJ and MC Callcott returned at $900/unit.
