Despite selling on a falling market, Russell and Cathy Hall were happy with the prices received for their line of Charolais cross steers at Blackall on Thursday.
The couple from Betanga, Alpha received a top price of 272c/kg for their 91 No 6 and 7 steers.
They averaged 457kg and the lead pen averaged 510kg.
Rain at the end of last summer put a horrendous drought in abeyance for a few months for the Halls but the memories of what they went through is never far from their minds.
"If we didn't sell we'd run out of feed," Mr Hall said, echoing the situation many have found themselves in over the last seven year. "The drier it gets, the more prices come back so we were happy with that today."
The market at Blackall, where 3900 head were yarded, followed the downward trend at Dalby and Roma this week, where 6000 and 7000 head respectively were yarded.
Landmark Western's Boyd Curran said it had been a tough day as drought began affecting markets again.
"Blackall has been incredibly strong all year but it followed the softening trend across the state today," he said. "That was particularly apparent in the fat market but the stores held up well with interest from Cloncurry."
The yarding saw a full complement of heavy cows and bulls and Elders Longreach's Tim Salter said seasonal conditions had meant a lot of tough decisions were being made once again.
"People are trying to pre-empt what's ahead for the next two or three months," he said.
The export market again underpinned bull prices.
Sale highlights
Keough, Wirth and Pedley, Boonamerrie, Longreach sold a good line of heavy Hereford/Shorthorn steers for 258.2c/kg at 517kg to return $1335/hd.
BK Matthews and Ve Jovis, Stonehenge, sold heavy Droughtmaster cross steers to 272 cents weighing 507kg. Their cows reached 220c/kg weighing 592kg.
Mt Macquarie Pastoral Trust, Uanda, Tambo sold good heavy Simbrah cows for 218c/kg at 637kg to return $1389/hd.
RD Hay Pastoral Trust, Kismet, Aramac sold very good heavy Brahman/Santa cows for 209.2c/kg at 588.4kg to return $1231/hd.
The Rosedale Trust, Longreach sold Santa cows for 230c/kg weighing 698 kg to return $1,605.
Rumleigh Partnership, Rumleigh, Tambo sold Santa cross cows for 211.2 c/kg averaging 635kg and returning $1341.12 p/h.
Mandy Curran, Talleyrand, Longreach sold Santa cross cows for 208.2c/kg with an average weight of 505.8kg to return a head value of $1053.05.
Hawkins Pastoral, Dumfries, Blackall sold young Santa cows in fresh store condition to 203 c/kg weighing 429kg.
RA Cribb, Gydia Park, Isisford sold Santa cross cows to 213 cents to weigh 553kg.
Edkins Campbell and Co sold Charbray cows to 215c/kg weighing 580kg.
Ewen Plains sold Droughtmaster cross cows at top 222c/kg weighing 544kg.
Caberfeidh Patnership sold Santa cows at 228.2c/kg weighing 637kg.
WK and P Graham, Tijuana, Muttaburra sold heavy Santa bulls for 240.2c/kg at 893.3kg to return $2145/hd.
D and J Allen, Tarcombe, Longreach sold Droughtmaster bulls for 243.3c/kg averaging 1030kg to return $2504.96.
Elderslie Pastoral Co Winton sold Droughtmaster bulls for 238c/kg weighing 800kg to return $1905 per hd.
Taylor Dennis Pastoral, Coolagh, Blackall sold a very good line of Charolais/ Droughtmaster cross feeder steers for a top of 282.2c/kg at 439kg to return $1238/hd.
They also sold feeder heifers for 244.2c at 396kg to return $967/hd.
The Rosedale Trust Longreach sold heavy feeder Santa steers for 282c/kg weighing 501kg to return $1414 per hd.
BLJ Grazing, North Pentwyn, Blackall sold good quality Charolais cross steers for 278.2c at 235.9kg to return $656/hd.
R and C Hall, Betanga, Alpha sold quality Charolais cross steers for 272.2c/kg averaging 465.2 kg and returned $1266.27.
Glenvalley Pastoral Co, Jundah sold heavy feeder Santa steers for 279c/kg weighing 270kg to return $753 per hd.
Sunbury Pastoral Company, Lumley, Isisford sold Charolais cross steers to 257 c/kg, weighing 348kg.
Their heifers sold to 207c/kg weighing 330kg.
N and A Hinrichsen sold Brahman steers at 261c/kg weighing 273kg.
DM and SE Wehl, Aramac sold Droughtmaster weaner steers to 266c/kg weighing 200kg to return $532.
Central West Livestock, Ashra Downs, Aramac sold Brangus feeder heifers for 232.2c/kg at 399kg to return $926/hd.
Ryrie Grazing, Mt Pleasant, Tambo sold Charolais feeder heifers to 236 c/kg weighing 495kg.
Strathmore Trust, Longreach sold feeder Santa heifers for 232c/kg weighing 400kg to return $928 per hd.
Braemar Investments, Lighthouse, Blackall sold Charolais cross heifers for 210.2c/kg with an average weight of 346.8kg to return a head value of $728.94.
They also sold quality Charolais cross steers for 266.2c/kg averaging 497.1kgs returning $1323.30 p/h.
M and S Macnamara, Mt Guide, Mount Isa sold Santa cross heifers for 164.2c/kg with an average weight of 335kg to return $550.07 p/h
Sandover Pastoral Co, The Patrick, Barcaldine sold Santa cross heifers for 206.2c/kg with an average weight of 334.2kg to return a head value of $689.05.
Ewen Plains sold Droughtmaster cross cows and calves for $910 per unit.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
