The beneficial effects of Tropical Cyclone Esther were felt in cattle prices at Blackall last Thursday, six weeks after she swept across Australia.
Giving parts of NSW their best autumn rain in many years, producers from there and south east Queensland in need of cattle to restock empty paddocks went shopping among the 3255 head on offer.
Combined with that was an additional Victorian processor in the market.
According to the MLA report, yearlings were in good supply and saw strong support from southern buyers but despite the extra processor, most categories saw a softening in average prices due to variations in quality.
Light weight restocker steers, 200-280kg, made to 398.2c to average 316c/kg; and medium weight restocker steers, 280-330kg, were selling to 396.2 to average 323c/kg
Medium weight yearling steers, 330-400kg, to feed made to 378.2 to average 301c/kg; and heavy weight yearling steers over 400kg to feed topped at 342.2c with most around 295c/kg.
Light weight restocker heifers, 200-280kg, made to 356.2 to average 268c/kg; medium weight restocker heifers, 280-330kg, sold to 358.2c to average 297c/kg; and medium weight yearling heifers, 330-400kg, to feed sold to 311.2c, averaging 264c/kg.
Medium weight 3 score cows sold to 247.2c to average 230c/kg, and heavy weight cows sold to 248c to average 237c/kg.
Heavy bulls sold to 252.2c with most bulls selling around 235c/kg.
A small sample of good quality local cows and calves made to $1460/unit.
Cattle were sourced from Alice Springs, Longreach, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Winton, Jericho, Aramac, Augathella, Barcaldine and Blackall.
Mr Fitzsimons said an "insane" number of cattle were moving in Queensland.
"It's a combination of the market, live export being very selective, the number of people who've lost grass to grasshoppers, and others whose grass is drying out," he said.
Blackall's monthly weaner sale this Thursday is fully booked with 6000 head.
HIGHLIGHTS
Bluegloss Pty Ltd, Orratippra, Alice Springs sold Brahman cross steers for 301.2c/kg averaging 429.6kg returning $1293.85/head.
N and L MacDonald, Coolatai, Blackall sold Murray Grey heifers for 315c/kg averaging 320.7kg returning $1010.25/head. They also sold Murray Grey cross steers for 370.2c/kg averaging 314.2kg returning $1163.28/head.
Australian Green Properties, Murray Downs, Alice Springs sold Droughtmaster steers for 351.2c/kg averaging 290.6kg returning $1020.59/head.
Tungamah Farming Pty Ltd, Hereward, Longreach sold Santa heifers for 340.2c/kg averaging 272.91kg returning $928.40/head.
Gill Russell, Werai, Blackall sold Simbrah cross steers for 284.2c/kg weighing 607kg to return $1725/hd. She also sold Simbrah heifers weighing 503kg for 275ckg returning $1383/head.
G and B Terry Investments, Lerida, Winton sold Brahman cross steers for 276.2c/kg weighing 637kg to return $1758/head.
Thistlebank Grazing, Thistlebank, Aramac sold Simmental cross cows weighing 611kg returning $1465/head.
Taree Grazing, Taree, Aramac sold Droughtmaster cross cows for 240c/kg weighing 584kg to return $1402/head.
Clarenden Cattle Co, Clarenden, Blackall sold Brahman cows for 245c/kg weighing 550kg to return $1346/hd. They also sold Droughtmaster cross heifers weighing 452kg making 265.2c/kg returning $1197/head.
CA Hauff & Son, The Springs, Blackall sold Hereford cross cows for 230.2c/kg weighing 621.5kg returning $1430/head.
JLT Pastoral Pty Ltd, Lucy Creek, Alice Springs sold Brangus cross cows for 234c/kg weighing 516kg to return $1207/hd. They also sold Hereford cross heifers for 258.2c/kg weighing 420kg to return $1084/head.
Wando Grazing Co, Wando, Winton sold Charolais cross steers for 398.2c/kg weighing 278kg to return $1108/head.
Narrow Bridge Grazing, Gillespie, Blackall sold Angus cross steers for 396.2c/kg weighing 342.5kg to return $1357/hd. They also sold Angus cross heifers for 358.2c/kg weighing 315kg to return $1128/head.
Rosemount Grazing, Rosemount, Barcaldine sold Charolais cross steers for 330c/kg weighing 383kg returning 1263/head.
WP & KM Watkin, Barcoorah, Aramac sold Brahman cross steers for 328.2c/kg weighing 302kg returning $991/head.
Rase Trust, Brumich, Augathella sold HGP Angus steers for 350c/kg averaging 381kg returning $1334/head. They also sold non-HGP Angus cross heifers for 311c/kg averaging 396kg returning $1234/head.
Russell Orr, Sumana, Aramac sold No 8 Droughtmaster cross steers for 305c/kg averaging 320kg returning $976/head.
Bloomfield Pastoral Co, Bloomfield, Blackall sold Droughtmaster cows for 248c/cg averaging 628kg returning $1558/head.
Blue Sky Beef, Norwood, Blackall sold Santa cross bullocks for 288c/kg averaging 646kg returning $1862/head.
Peter Hall, Oorindi Park, Cloncurry sold good quality Brahman cows for a top of 245c/kg averaging 583kg returning $1428/head.
ES and JB Otto, Minnamoora, Jericho sold Brahman bulls for 240.2c at an average weight 857.5kg to return $2059/head.
GW and JG Bowen, Mundaroo, Blackall sold crossbred heifers for 346.2c at an average weight of 148.3 to return $513.53/head.
Ben Avery, Allandale, Blackall sold Charolais steers for 388.2c at an average weight of 306.3kg to return $1189.12/head.
Alan Steadman, The Ranch, Longreach sold Brahman steers for 278.2c at an average weight of 724.5kg to return $2015.69/head.
J Conroy, Delacourt, Julia Creek sold Droughtmaster steers for 336.2c at an average weight 401.3 to return $1349/head.
Lorne Grazing, Lorne, Blackall sold crossbred cows and calves for $1460/head.
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.
