Charters Towers combined agents yarded 1604 head on Wednesday. Cattle consisted of 1113 prime cattle and 491 store cattle. The prime cattle consisted of 144 bullocks, 201 heifers, 635 cows and 133 bulls. Store cattle consisted of 82 steers, 409 heifers and three cows and calves.
Cattle consisted of large runs of prime cows varying in quality, including a good run of store cows and a substantial increase in prime heifer numbers on last week's sale.
The yarding was drawn from Tennant Creek, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Hughenden, Belyando, Collinsville, Burketown, Croydon, Ingham, local and coastal areas.
Prime quotes:
Heavy bullocks were 15-30c dearer, heifers were firm, despite an increase in numbers cows were firm to 10c dearer, and bulls 5- 20c dearer compared to last week's rates.
Steers and bullocks under 500kg sold to 309.2c and averaged 267.4c, and those over 500kg topped at 308.2c to average 301.2c. Heifers under 440kg sold to 266.2c and averaged 203.1c, while heifers over 440kg topped at 275.2c, averaging 268.2c. Cows under 400kg made 208.2c and averaged 151.9c, while cows over 400kg reached 246.2c, averaging 223.2c. Bulls under 450kg made 280c and averaged 223.6c, while bulls over 450kg reached 305.2c to average 265.3c.
Bullocks sold on a/c Fletchervale Pastoral Co, Charters Towers, sold for 308.2c/kg, weighing 650kg to return $2003.30/hd. A pen of six grain finished bullocks a/c D and T Stephens sold for 309.2c/kg, weighing 495kg to return $1530.54.
Best priced trade heifers were presented on a/c Laurie Grazing Trust, that sold for 275.2c/kg and weighed 490kg to return $1348.48. The top pen of cows were sold by Mount Douglas Pastoral Company for 245.2c and weighed 675kg to return $1665.10/hd.
Top priced cows were for a pen of 20 cows a/c GA and WL Collins, Prairie, for 246.2c/kg and weighed 554kg to return $1362.72. Bulls sold on a/c Louden Bros Pty Ltd, Mt Surprise, topped at 305.2c and weighed 790kg, to return $2411.08/hd.
Store quotes:
Store cattle consisted of varying quality and type. Steers were limited in numbers but there were good lines of heifers presented. The better prices were reflected on the high grade Brahman types. There was limited competition on weaner cattle due to the season.
Steers under 200kg reached 264.2c to average 254.8c, steers 200 - 320kg sold to 290.2c, averaging 256.6c, steers 320 - 400kg topped at 249.2c and averaged 249.2c. Heifers under 200kg topped at 204.2c and averaged 190.3c, heifers 200 - 320kg sold to 230c, averaging 186.3c, heifers 320 - 370kg made 230c to average 190.7c.
A pen of eight steers a/c WJ Carr made 290.2c and weighed 216kg, to return an average of $627.56/hd. A good pen of seven heifers on a/c JG and CY Dale, Woodstock, made 230c, weighed 330kg returning an average of $759/hd. There were insufficient numbers to quote on cows and calves.