The anticipation for last week's weaner sale at the Blackall Saleyards was realised in spades when young Santa Gertrudis steers offered by Alice Downs at Blackall smashed the yard record for cattle of that description.
The commercial arm of the Forest Park Santa Gertrudis stud received 609.2c/kg for steers averaging 190kg, returning the Allen family $1157.48 a head.
The weaner heifers they offered were sold for 586.2c/kg, also a record.
Selling agent Boyd Curran, Nutrien Western said the sale hadn't just broken the record for steers, it had smashed it by nearly 60c/kg.
The previous record for weaner steers was 552c/kg, set on October 9 by a line of Braford steers from the Winton district.
The Alice Downs steers were among a yarding of 5350 head from Blackall, Tambo, Longreach, Barcaldine, Aramac, Jericho, Isisford, Hughenden, Winton, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Boulia, and Windorah, and Mr Curran said the big yarding had helped attract more buyers, combined with recent rain in NSW.
That plus the quality of the cattle on offer saw excellent averages in all areas of the market.
"The Forest Park stud had its best stud sale average ever just the other day, which I think is a reflection that buyers know their commercial cattle do well," Mr Curran said. "Alice Downs cattle have a reputation for performing."
He said the current market provided an interesting dilemma for both buyers and sellers trying to determine how high the market might go in coming months.
"Some will be taking advantage of the opportunities now, especially those who've experienced extremely dry conditions for nearly eight years, and others will be holding on for these great prices to get even better."
AACo, South Galway, Windorah sold Brahman-cross steers for 400.2c/kg weighing 357.6kg to return $1431.09/hd.
Pathungra P/L, Pathungra, Boulia sold Droughtmaster steers for 489.2c/kg weighing 251kg to return $1231/hd, and Santa Gertrudis bulls for 314.2c/kg weighing 720kg to return $2262/hd and Brahman-cross cows for 316c/kg weighing 462kg to return $1462/hd.
Adams and Son, Darracourt, Blackall sold very good quality Santa/Simmental-cross feeder steers for 412.2c at 485kg to return $2000/hd.
Swan Hill Cattle Co, Swan Hill, Blackall sold a very good quality run of Santa/Santa-cross steers to a top of 438.2c at 403kg to return $1766/hd.
Pigurra Grazing Co, Forest Hill, Blackall sold a very good draft of Shorthorn steers for a top of 436.2c at 352kg to return $1510/hd.
CA Hauff and Son, The Springs, Blackall sold very good quality Hereford steers to 422.2c at 393kg to return $1658/hd.
Rosemount Grazing, Rosemount, Barcaldine sold a run of Charolais and Santa-cross steers to top at 436.2 weighing 385kg to return $1675.74.
J Jackson and K Anderson, Bell Burra, Longreach sold a very good quality draft of Santa/Angus cross weaner steers for 598.2 at 240kg to return $1434/hd.
N and N Maxwell, Rothbury Park, Richmond sold Angus-cross steers for 416.2kg weighing 384kg to return $1599.
Brett and Mari Gundersen, Wallaby Springs, Boulia, sold quality Santa-cross steers topping at 502.2c/kg weighing 238kg and averaging 433c/kg to return $1455.
ED and JL Atkinson, Lisburne, Blackall sold quality Charolais-cross steers topping at 432.2c/kg to average 427.7c/kg to weigh 329kg to return $1410. Their Charolais-cross heifers topped at 440.2c/kg to average 425.4c/kg to weigh 308kg to return $1313.
Robyn Adams, Stratford, Blackall sold Droughtmaster steers for 540c/kg weighing a top of 225kg to return $1215/hd.
Bailey Properties, Paradise Downs, Blackall sold Angus-cross steers for 552.2c/kg weighing 185kg to return $1012/hd and Charolais heifers for 490c/kg weighing 367kg to return $1508/hd.
WG Britton, Sandila, Boulia sold Santa Gertrudis steers for 492c/kg weighing 260kg to return $1284/hd.
KD Brockhurst, Julia Creek sold Droughtmaster steers for 490c/kg weighing 183kg to return $900/hd and heifers for 444.2c/kg weighing 168kg to return $746/hd.
Champion Livestock, Longway, Longreach sold Santa steers for 556.2c/kg weighing 201kg to return $1117/hd and heifers for 512c/kg weighing 217kg to return $1112/hd.
BB and AH Currie, Speculation, Jericho sold Brangus steers for 554c/kg weighing 179kg to return $995/hd and heifers for 496c/kg weighing 170kg to return $844/hd.
DG and GH East, Breedon, Longreach sold Charolais heifers for 502c/kg weighing 240.5c/kg to return $1207/hd.
William J Ferguson, Newhaven, Barcaldine sold Droughtmaster steers for 578c/kg weighing 187kg to return $1086/hd.
Longford Partnership, Longford, Cloncurry sold Charbray steers for 435.2c/kg weighing 259kg to return $1129/hd.
KJ and JL McKinlay, Richmond Hills, Barcaldine sold Angus steers for 540c/kg weighing 215kg to return $1164/hd, and heifers for 480c/kg weighing 171kg to return $822/hd.
MHG and JJ O'Dell, Colorado, Jericho sold a run of mixed sex Charolais weaners with the steers selling to 511.2 weighing 249.8kg to return $1277.05 with the heifers selling to 500.2 weighing 233.8kg to return $1169.70.
WC and LF Schultz, Thornton, Muttaburra sold Brangus-cross mixed sex weaners with the steers selling to 576.2 weighing 160.9kg to return $927.0, with the heifers selling to 518.2 weighing 152.8kg to return $791.69.
Teeraa Holdings and R and T Jensen, Prairie Downs, Blackall sold EU Charbray heifers for 470.2 weighing 262kg to return $1231.92.
TM and KJ Joseland, Eltham, Isisford sold Brangus heifers to a top of 478.2 weighing 244.7kg to return $1170.33.
Craigs Pocket Investments, Afton Downs, Hughenden sold Santa and Santa-cross heifers to a top of 480.2 weighing 273.7kg to return $1314.15.
FJ and JG Manwaring, Ballygar, Aramac sold Santa heifers with the No.9 heifers selling to 404.2 weighing 275.7c/kg to return $1114.54, and the No.0 heifers selling to 482.2c/kg weighing 201.3 to return $970.74.
EW and EM Moller, Edwinstowe, Jericho sold Santa Gertrudis steers for 474.2c/kg averaging 341.7kg returning $1620.41/head.
H and S Glasson, Greenlaw, Yaraka sold Santa Gertrudis-cross steers for 508.2c/kg averaging 250.5kg returning $1273.18/head.
Ryrie Grazing Co, Mount Pleasant, Tambo sold Charolais heifers for 420.2c/kg averaging 310kg returning $1302.62/head.
WS and JL Rogers, Hughenden sold Santa Gertrudis cross steers for 532.2c/kg averaging 174.1kg returning $926.36/head.
KB and DJ Karger, Isla Downs, Longreach sold lightweight Angus cross steers for 588.2c at 210kg to return $1231/hd.
Lambert Past Co, Lambert, Charleville sold very good quality Hereford and Charbray heifers for a top of 460.2 to return $1230/hd.
RA and KA Crozier, Highlands, Tambo sold good quality Angus cross weaner heifers for 504.2c at 227kg to return $1142/hd.
D and K Neilson, Two Rivers, Boulia sold a quality line of Brahman and Charolais-cross weaned steers averaging 480.2c/kg weighing 225kg to return $1082.
They also sold a quality line of Brahman and Charolais-cross weaner heifers topping 506.2c/kg weighing 181kg to return $916.
J and K Neilson, Two Rivers, Boulia sold Charolais-cross weaner heifers topping at 506.2c/kg to average 469.4c/kg weighing 208kg to return $977.
M and T Neilson, Two Rivers, Boulia sold Charolais-cross weaner heifers topping at 506.2c/kg to average 453.4c/kg weighing 195kg to return $887.
Kurrboo Livestock, Trent, Blackall sold Santa-cross heifers for 478.2c/kg to weigh 220kg to return $1053.
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.
