The combination of quality cattle in big numbers and a buying panel from near and far contributed to what was described as a "massive" cattle sale at Blackall this week.
Paton Fitzsimons, Ray White Rural's national livestock manager, said the monthly weaner sale had recorded some of the dearest prices for young cattle in Australia for the week, setting a new yard record in the process.
The best of the light steers on offer were sold for 714 cents per kilogram and the sale average was $1500 a head.
"NSW agents and buyers were on the ground and the right cattle were there in numbers," he said.
"There's a greater number of buyers because cattle are just gold at the moment.
"The yarding was the second biggest in the country this week - it draws people from all over."
Among those on the receiving end of the good prices were Hughenden's Robert and Lyn Wearing, Etna, who sent down five decks of young steers and heifers, and a deck of fat cows, all grey Brahmans with some Brangus introduced.
Their cows made up to $1849/head, while the steers sold up to $1500/head and the heifers to $1215.
While not able to lay his hands on paperwork to see how that compared with prices for four decks sold at Blackall at the start of the season, Mr Wearing said both sales had been terrific.
"While we can get over $1000 a head for weaners we've got no complaints," he said, adding that Blackall was their main outlet for selling clean cattle.
A total of 5800 head were on offer and the yarding was described by MLA market reporter Sam Hart as very good quality.
Light weight restocker steers under 200kg continued to strengthen selling to 714.2c to average 683c/kg while steers in the 200-280kg weight range made to 706.2c to average 662c, up 75c/kg.
Restocker steers 280-330kg were in high demand topping at 650.2c with most around 591c and those onto feed sold to 604.2c to average 583c/kg.
Medium weight steers made to 540.2c to average around 489c for those to feed and 509c for steers returning to the paddock.
Heavy yearling steers to feed were in good supply and saw prices lift 33c to an isolated 542.2c with most sales around 501c/kg for the better-quality pens and 425c for the secondary lines.
Light weight restocker heifers under 200kg sold to new heights selling to 686.2c to average 630c and those 200-280kg made to 666.2c averaging 618c/kg.
Restockers looking to join heifers 280-330kg pushed prices along to 574.2c to average 510c/kg.
Medium heifers to feed sold to 530.2c to average 487c and heavy heifers to feed made to 388.2c to average 378c/kg.
Sale highlights
WK & P Graham, Tijuana, Muttaburra sold Santa steers topping at 700.2c/kg to average 673.2c/kg 270kg to return $1531/hd, while their heifers topped at 596.2c/kg weighing 241kgs to return $1442/hd.
Deane Grazing Co, Malboona, Corfield, sold a quality run of 350 Droughtmaster steers topping 656c/kg to average 629c/kg weighing 263kgs to return $1655/hd, while their heifers averaged 600c/kg for 211kgs to return $1266/hd.
ER & LM Slack-Smith, Gladevale, Richmond, sold Charolais-cross steers selling to 670c/kg at 232kgs returning $1557/hd.
PA & TC Rose, Bede, Aramac, sold Droughtmaster-cross steers averaging 647c/kg weighing 240kgs for a return of $1532/hd.
Kurrboo Livestock, Trent, Barcaldine, sold Santa-cross steers at 500c/kg weighing 547kgs to return $1738/hd.
R & J Keogh, Amaroo, Blackall, sold Charolais-cross steers for 620c/kg weighing 283kgs for $1758/hd.
B & M Gunndersen, Wallaby Springs, Boulia, sold Santa steers for 640c/kg weighing 290kgs to return $1476/hd.
K B Griffith, Hayfield, Jundah, sold Angus steers to average 700.2c/kg to weigh 222kg to return $1555/hd while their heifers averaged 668.2c/kg weighing 200kgs for a return of $1339/hd.
Tewinga Pastoral Holdings, Slashers Creek, Boulia, sold Droughtmaster-cross cows topping at 360c/kg to weigh 533kgs to return $1920/hd.
DKM Pastoral, Athol, Blackall sold Droughtmaster-cross steers for 506.2c/kg averaging 536.9kg returning $2717.90/hd.
TJ Dowling, Coleraine, Richmond sold Charolais steers for 706.2c/kg averaging 236.7kg returning $1671.34/hd. They also sold Charolais heifers for 664.2c/kg averaging 224.2kg returning $1489.34/hd.
Katandra Agriculture P/L, Barcaldine sold Angus-cross heifers for 666.2c/kg averaging 208.7kg returning $1390.42/hd.
Ben Avery, Allandale, Blackall sold Charolais-cross steers weighing 417kgs for 542c/kg to return $2265/hd.
Bailey Properties, Paradise Downs, Blackall, sold Santa and Charolais-cross feeder heifers for 530c weighing 379kgs for $2009/hd.
AD Brodie, Coorabelle, Corfield, sold Angus-cross heavy feeder steers for 490c at 471kgs, coming back at $2311/hd.
Champion Livestock, Longway, Longreach, sold Santa weaner steers for 702c at 237kgs to equal $1665/hd.
DG & GH East, Breedon, Longreach, sold Charolais and Angus-cross weaner heifers for 648c weighing 228kgs returning $1482/hd. The steer portion sold to 700c.
P & DA Pidgeon, Glenroy, Stonehenge, sold Angus-cross heifers for 634c at 222kgs for $1407/hd and also sold Angus-cross steers for 702c at 231kgs for $1625/hd.
WG Britton, Sandila, Boulia, sold a Droughtmaster cow for 365c, at 700kg, totalling $2555/hd.
Eternity Grazing, Springton, Jericho, sold Droughtmaster-cross cows PTIC to Angus bulls for a top of 414c/kg.
Killarney Park Grazing P/L, Killarney Park, Tambo sold a run of VGQ Santa weaners with the steers selling to a top of 684.2c/kg weighing 261kg to return $1791.95/hd. The heifers in the draft topped at 622.2c/kg weighing 254kg to return $1581.25/hd.
DA & JH Scobie, Parkdale, Blackall sold Angus cross steers to a top of 664.2c/kg weighing 231kg to return $1534.30/hd.
JJ O'Dell, Colorado, Jericho sold a very good run of Charolais, Charbray weaners with the steers selling to 654.2c/kg weighing 276kg to return $1809.95. The heifers in the draft topped at 628.2c/kg weighing 228kg to return $1435.89/hd.
They sold PTIC Charolais, Charbray cows to top at 350c/kg weighing 620kg to return $2171.59/hd.
Lloyd Weri Grazing Co, Bloomfield, Blackall sold Droughtmaster-cross weaners with the steers selling to 576.2c/kg weighing 299kg to return $1725.40/hd.
Regan and Tahlia Jensen, Prairie Downs, Blackall sold very good quality EU Charbray and Brahman steers to top at 690.2c/kg weighing 202kg to return $1397.66/hd.
TM & KJ Joseland, Eltham, Isisford sold a run of Angus-cross weaners with the steers selling to a top of 668.2c/kg weighing 261kg to return $1744/hd. The heifers in the run sold to a top of 622.2c/kg weighing 182kg to return $1138.11/hd.
Home Creek Pastoral Trust, Home Creek, Barcaldine sold a run of Angus, Santa-cross weaner steers to a top of 700c/kg weighing 242kg to return $1700.26/hd. The also sold Brahman-cross heifers to a top of 502.2c/kg weighing 330kg to return $1657.26/hd.
B & G Davison, Riverview, Blackall sold Santa-cross steers selling to a top of 520c/kg weighing 425kg to return $2210/hd.
James Muller, Kenellen, Kynuna sold a run of Droughtmaster steers to a top of 516.2c/kg weighing 356kg to return $1838.04/hd.
JE & LJ Nunn, Sunnyside, Longreach sold a run of Charolais-cross weaners with the steers selling to a top of 656.2c/kg weighing 261kg to return $1731.69/hd. The heifers in the draft sold to a top of 592.2c/kg weighing 224kg to return $1330.17/hd.
Roberts, Gow & Hopkins, Fermoy, Winton sold a run of Droughtmaster-cross weaners with the steers selling to a top of 630.2c/kg weighing 220kg to return $1390.15. The heifers topped at 500c/kg weighing 196.3kg to return $982.12/hd.
Zach Geltch, Myross, Aramac sold Charbray-cross steers to a top of 660.2c/kg weighing 175kg to return $1155.35/hd.
GJ & JM Bambling, Glenavon, Aramac sold VGQ Brahman steers for 604.2c at 286kg to return $1728/hd.
CS & RH Angus, Glanariff, Prairie sold VGQ Droughtmaster-cross steers for 626.2c at 293kg to return $1834/hd.
Swan Hill Cattle Co, Swan Hill, Blackall sold VGQ Santa/Santa-cross weaner steers for a top of 714.2c to average 685c at 231kg to return $1586/hd.
The Maxvale Land Trust, Maxvale, Jundah sold good quality Angus cross steers for 682.2c at 221kg to return $1511/hd.
J Jackson and K Anderson, Bell Burra, Longreach sold Santa-cross steers for 714.2c at 195kg to return $1395/hd also selling heifers for 656.2c at 222kg to return $1455/hd.
JB & DJ Karger, Isla Downs, Longreach sold Angus-cross heifers for 670.2c at 206kg to return $1380/hd.
G & C Connolly, Elwell, Prairie sold Angus cross heifers for 666.2c at 221kg to return $1471/hd.
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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.
