Cattle numbers increased both on a national level and for the Queensland offering, which totalled 3106 head, up 1540. Southern Queensland buyers looked interstate to NSW, buying 805 head, largely from the Northern Tablelands of NSW which continues to experience ongoing dry conditions. Purchases from interstate mostly consisted of weaned steers, with a highlight seeing a line of 59 Angus steers, 8-9 months and weighing 287kg from Walcha return 343c, purchased by a buyer at Gatton.
Demand for weaned steers continued to increase, seeing an average price of 315c this week, up 39c/kg. Selling from 284c to 341c, the top price was returned by three lots of weaners offered by Consuelo Cattle Company, Rolleston. These 251 Santa Gertrudis cross steers are 6-8 months and weigh 206kg. Two of the three lots found a buyer 1700km away at Serpentine, Vic, with the other lot heading to Jericho. From Condamine, a line of 58 Charolais cross weaned steers sold for 289c. Weighing 272kg, these steers are 9-11 months and found a buyer at Goondiwindi. A line of 86 Brangus/Brahman cross yearling steers from Emerald sold for 294c. These steers are 15-17 months and weigh 316kg.
Supply outweighed demand for weaned heifers which sold for 318c and 346c. Two lines were offered by Consuelo Cattle Company, Rolleston. The top price went to a line of 84 Santa cross heifers, 6-8 months in age and weighing 196kg, which will travel to Coonamble, NSW. A larger line of 126 Santa cross heifers, also 6-8 months and weighing 196kg sold for 318c, with this line travelling to Serpentine, Vic.
From Roma, a single line of 45 Angus cross PTIC heifers, offered by M & MT Bright sold for $1115. These heifers are Hazeldean and Burenda blood, 17-20 months, weigh 404kg and are PTIC to Angus bulls.
Cows and calves sold from $1225 to $1440 to average $1353. The top price was returned by a large line of 300 Droughtmaster cross cows and calves, offered by Mt Rourke Pastoral Co, Winton. These cows are Rondel Droughtmaster blood, range in age from 3-14 years and weigh 468kg. The calves at foot are 1-32 weeks, average about 150kg and are sired by Droughtmaster bulls.
Sheep and lambs
Last week saw sheep numbers drop right back by over 7000 head to total 2105 listed. The smaller offering saw a 100 per cent clearance returned, with all lots finding buyers from across the border in NSW.
From Texas, a single line of 400 Merino ewes offered by G Hilton returned $83. These ewes are 5.5-7.5 years old, Waverly blood, and weigh 41kg with a 1/4" skin. This line will travel nearly 600km to Dubbo, NSW.
Merino wethers sold for $119 and $121 for two lots of 400 wethers offered by Calingumee Pastoral Co, Goondiwindi. These wethers are Karbullah blood, 1.5-2 years, weigh 48kg and have a 1/4" skin. Both lots found a buyer from Cootamundra, NSW.
From Stanthorpe, a line of 230 2nd cross Dohne wether lambs sold for $102. Weighing 30kg, these lambs are Oct/Nov '18 drop, finding a buyer from Gilgandra, NSW.
Pumbaaloo Pty Ltd, Longreach offered a line of 585 2nd cross White Dorper ewes and 528 lambs which returned $181. These ewes are 2-6 years and weigh 53kg. The lambs at foot are sired by Australian White Rams, aged 5-12 weeks and average 23kg. This line will travel to Dubbo, NSW.