The last Gracemere sale for 2019 saw 3280 head yarded with a breakdown of 1015 steers, 1555 heifers, 529 cows, 41 bulls and 140 cows and calves.
It was a mixed quality yarding again, due largely to the effects of the drought. However the market improved or held firm on the previous week's prices for most categories, with a good lift in some heifer classes.
Slaughter steers sold to 284c, average 247c, steers 400-500kg made 284c, average 260c, steers 300-400kg reached 279c, average 245c, steers 200-300kg made 270c, average 218c and steers under 200kg sold to 256c, average 193c.
Slaughter cows sold to 244c, average 182c, cows 400-450kg made 234c, average 168c, cows 320-400kg reached 242c, average 130c, and cows under 320kg made 198c, average 116c.
Heavy heifers sold to 264c, average 247c, heifers 300-400kg made 264c, average 233c, heifers 200-300kg reached 248c, average 186c, and heifers under 200kg made 230c, average 147c.
Cows and calves sold to $1325/unit, average $597/unit.
Bulls over 600kg made 230c, average 191c, bulls 450-600kg reached 292c, average 163c and bulls under 450kg sold to 296c, average 167c.
Highlights:
P and J Stone, Baralaba, sold Droughtmaster cross steers for 284c weighing 407kg to return $1156/hd. The Sherry family, Marlborough, sold Belmont Red No 9 steers for 252c, weighing 234kg to return $595/hd. Kelly Hyden, Bauhinia Downs, sold a run of 250 Brahman cross store cows and heifers. The lead pen of cows sold for 199c, weighed 517kg to return $1030/hd.
The lead pen of No.7 heifers sold for 236c, weighed 435kg to return $1029/hd. Riverside Pastoral, Nebo, sold Brahman cross No. 8 heifers for 236c weighing 384kg to return $907/hd. The Cash family, St Lawrence, sold a run of 175 Grey Brahman heifers, with the lead pen of No.9s topping at 234c, weighing 231kg to return $542/hd.
Rushmore Cattle Co, Theodore, sold Braford cows and calves for $860/unit.
The first sale for 2020 will be on Wednesday, January 15.
