Charters Towers combined agents yarded a total of 1028 cattle on Wednesday, consisting of 676 prime cattle and 352 store cattle.
The prime cattle consisted of 189 bullocks, 26 heifers, 287 cows and 174 bulls. Store cattle consisted of 171 steers, 181 heifers and one cow and calf.
Cattle consisted of smaller numbers of finished cattle, with the balance showing signs of the ongoing seasonal conditions as reflected by the rates.
The yarding was drawn from Einasleigh, Collinsville, Muttaburra, as well as local and coastal areas.
Prime quotes: Bullocks were 4-5c easier, heifers were 6-8c easier, cows were 10-15c easier, and bulls were 10-15c easier compared to last week's rates.
Steers and bullocks under 500kg sold to 366.2c and averaged 322.4c, and those over 500kg topped at 366.2c to average 337c. Heifers under 440kg sold to 384.5c and averaged 342.2c, while heifers over 440kg topped at 270.2c, averaging 270.2c. Cows under 400kg made 274.2c and averaged 228.4c, while cows over 400kg reached 278.2c, averaging 254.1c. Bulls under 450kg made 380c and averaged 321.9c, while bulls over 450kg reached 360.2c to average 297.3c.
Bullocks topped at 366.2c on a/c John Edward Fryer that weighed 530kg and returned $1941/hd. Best priced trade heifers were presented on a/c P and L Fryer that sold for 324.2c, weighing 415kg to return $1345/hd. The top pen of cows was sold on a/c D McCarthy for 270.2c, weighing 488kg to return $1318/hd. Bulls sold on a/c WD Milton topped at 360.2c and weighed 695kg to return $2503/hd.
STORE SALE
There were 2358 head yarded for Friday's store sale, consisting of 1246 steers, 115 , 940 heifers and five cows and calves.
Store cattle comprised consistent quality lines of Brahman steers and heifers, which saw competition remain strong in areas.
The yarding was drawn from Einasleigh, Tully, Cardwell, Ravenswood, Mt Garnet, as well as local and coastal areas.
Steers under 200kg reached 492.2c to average 407.6c, steers 200 - 320kg sold to 416.2c, averaging 368.6c, steers 320 - 400kg topped at 376.2c and averaged 353.2c and steers over 400kg sold to 368.2c to average 361.8c. Mickeys under 400kg sold to 394.2c, averaging 358.5c. Heifers under 200kg topped at 394.2c and averaged 366.5c, and heifers 200 - 320kg sold to 382.2c.
A pen of steers a/c AJ and K Darwen, Ayr, sold for 370.2c and weighed 393.5kg to return an average of $1345.53. A pen of 22 steers a/c LD Grazing made 492.2c and weighed 152kg, returning an average of $784/hd. A pen of 14 heifers a/c St Anns Stn sold for 372.2c weighing 310.7kg to return an average of $1156.48. A good pen of 11 heifers on a/c D Bode made 390.2c, weighing 195kg returning an average of $760/hd. Four cows and calves sold a/c G Clarke returned $1620/unit.
