There was a large drop in numbers this week at CQLX Gracemere, with combined agents yarding a total of 2773 head, comprising 1073 steers, 1006 heifers, 532 cows, 40 bulls and 122 cows and calves.
All meatworks buyers were in attendance with the prime cattle selling to a firm market. With fewer feeders to quote on, prices eased on all steer categories. The heifer market remained to a firm trend.
Store cattle eased for a plainer category with better cattle experiencing last week's rates. Cows and calves sold to a firm market with plenty of competition.
Slaughter steers sold to 289c, average 286c, steers 400-500kg made 306c, average 293c, steers 300-400kg reached 342c, average 294c, steers 200-300kg made 396c, average 311c and steers under 200kg sold to 398c, average 327c.
Slaughter cows sold to 279c, average 244c, cows 400-450kg made 265c, average 219c, cows 320-400kg reached 260c, average 196c, and cows under 320kg made 230c, average 175c.
Heavy heifers sold to 292c, average 255c, heifers 300-400kg made 322c, average 290c, heifers 200-300kg reached 338c, average 280c, and heifers under 200kg made 323c, average 272c.
Cows and calves sold to $1550/unit, average $1300/unit.
Bulls over 600kg made 282c, average 267c, bulls 450-600kg reached 273c, average 252c and bulls under 450kg sold to 266c, average 242c.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Purcell family, Marlborough, sold a run of Angus cross steers topping 316c weighing 399kg to return $1263.
Boongana Pty Ltd, Blackwater, sold Braford steers to average 394c, weighing 213kg, to return $841/hd.
B Brown, Wowan, sold Droughtmaster steers to average 346c, weighing 255kg, to return $882/hd.
N and L Ralph, Baralaba, sold Santa cows to 254c, weighing 597kg, to return $1505/hd.
VP Olive, Granite Vale, St Lawrence, sold Brahman cows for 256c, weighing 538kg, to return $1380/hd.
L Edgar, Morinish, sold Droughtmaster cows to 256c, weighing 554kg, to return $1419/hd.
Montrose Grazing Co., Marlborough, sold a quality line of Grey Brahman No.8 heifers for 322c, weighing 333kg, to return $1073/hd.
Advance Pty Ltd, Stanage Bay, sold prime heifers to 292c, weighing 500kg, to return $1461/hd.
Cedar Creek Grazing, Gogango, sold heifers to 328c, weighing 296kg, to return $97/hd.
L Downing, Mt Larcom, sold Droughtmaster cows and calves for $1500/unit.