Prices continued to ease in Charters Towers as over 2000 head were offloaded at the combined agents' prime and store sale on July 13.
The yarding consisted of 1213 store cattle and 1280 prime cattle.
Store cattle consisted of 849 steers, 325 heifers, 39 cows and 38 cows and calves. Prime cattle consisted of 66 bullocks, 115 heifers, 1021 cows and 78 bulls.
The yarding was drawn from Mount Isa, Richmond, Burketown, Prairie, Georgetown, Julia Creek, as well as local and coastal areas.
Agents' noted cattle comprised of a limited amount of finished bullocks with a large yarding of finished cows through to store condition cows.
Vendors Frank and Robyn Blacklock of Pelham Station, Julia Creek offloaded a run of 86 Brahman cross cows to average 280c/kg, weighing 446kg to return $1249/hd.
A pen of their six cows fetched 308c/kg weighing 527kg and returned $1623/hd. A further single cow reached 308c/kg weighing 530kg and returned $1634.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Charters Towers livestock agent Brent Williams said market prices had eased.
"The fat job so far has been back compared to last week, but last week was a smaller yarding as well," he said.
"But all in all, the cows are probably back 20 to 30 cents, bullocks much the same in places, but there are a limited number of bullocks and heifers yarded.
"There is a fair run of cows making up to 320c with the average run of cows making around 280c to 290c.
"But they have been selling to a competitive market and buying panel."
Mr Williams said there were a number of contributing factors as to why prices had eased.
"The meatworks are overloaded to an extent," he said.
"Selling meat overseas has tightened up a little bit too with what is happening around the world.
"There is also an abundance of cattle rolling into the new financial year, people wanted to sell.
"It's those three or four factors coming together."
As the threat of foot and mouth disease in Indonesia continues to grow, Mr Williams said he believed the market was still selling on trend.
"I don't think it's putting pressure on producers to offload, I think they're still selling seasonally," he said.
"But I do think there is some doubt within the industry regarding it all. It is a big unknown.
"It's such a new subject, people are still learning about it.
"I don't think it's factoring into selling or not selling right now."
Prime saleyard highlights:
Agents' noted bullocks were quoted 20 to 25 cents easier, heifers were 20 cents easier, cows were 20 cents easier, and bulls were 30 cents easier on last week's rates.
Bullocks topped at 324c/kg on account AC and RM Pratt that weighed 635kg to return $2058/hd.
Best priced trade heifers were presented on account C. Gilmore, Torrens Creek that sold for 332c/kg, weighing 573kg to return $1902/hd. Their further top pen of cows sold for 324c/kg, weighing 583kg to return $1889/hd.
Bulls sold on account Campbell Grazing, Stamford, topped at 350c/kg and weighed 695kg, to return $2433/hd.
Store saleyard highlights:
Agents' noted store cattle were made up of good runs of Brahman steers and heifers, which were predominantly from the tick free area. The balance of the yarding were smaller lines of mixed northern steers, mickeys and heifers.
Agents' said quality cattle were still selling to market value with lesser types seeing a decline in value.
A pen of 20 steers on account SA Grazing, Torrens Creek made 430c/kg and weighed 325kg to return $1397/hd. A pen of 29 heifers on the same account made 422c/kg weighing 292kg to return $1234/hd.
21 cows and calves sold on account EJT and KL Camp, Floraville, Burketown, returned $1750 per unit.
The next Charters Towers prime and store sale is scheduled for July 20.
Zoe Thomas
Northern based journalist at North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.
Northern based journalist at North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.
