Firm to dearer cattle prices at Nebo store sale, despite reduced yarding

Agents saw 154 head yarded last Friday, comprising of 127 steers, 19 heifers, seven cows and one bull.

After several sale cancellations due to poor weather, Brian Dawson Auctions stock agent Joel Dawson said it wad good to back at the Nebo saleyards.

"The sale went well considering the low numbers, but having plenty of local graziers supporting the saleyards to purchase lines of cattle has also kept the market firm," Mr Dawson said.

"We also had a couple of outside buyers attending the sale.

"There was a quality run of big heavy Charbray steers, weighing 500kg, which made some good money."

Overall, weaner steers weighing 250 to 320kg sold to a top of 508c/kg, and averaged 474c/kg. Those weighing 320kg to 400kg topped at 490c/kg and averaged 412c/kg.

Steers ranging from 400 to 500kg sold to a top of 368c/kg, and averaged 342c/kg, while steers over 500kg averaged 332c/kg.

Heifers up to 250kg averaged 398c/kg, while heifers weighing 250 to 300kg, sold to a top of 410 c/kg, and averaged 394c/kg.

One bull under 450kg, sold for 278c/kg.

Local vendor Margaret Madden of Mystery Downs sold 14 Charbray weaner steers, with the top returns achieved for a pen weighing 303kg and selling for 496c/kg to return $1505 per head.

Her No.2 Charbray heifers sold for 400c/kg, weighing 271kg to return $1080/hd.

Ms Madden runs a small Brahman Charbray cross herd near Nebo, including 38 breeders with a Charbray bull.

She said recent rain had brought plenty of optimism to graziers in her region.

"We haven't had a decent wet season for a while and the recent rain saved us from having a very poor season," Ms Madden said

"We can't seem to score any rain in the growing season."

Ms Madden offloaded the steers at the Nebo sale because they were all due to go.

"I don't have a big operation like everybody else, but I was really pleased with the way they sold," she said.

"I know that prices have dropped back a bit, but you got to take what you can on the day."

Geoff and Donna Geisler, Bloomsbury, sold No.1 red Brahman steers to average 426c/kg to return $1520/hd.

J Conaghan sold No.1 Brahman steers for 368c/kg, weighing 412kg to return $1516/hd.

They also sold No.1 Droughtmaster steers for 438c/kg to return $1734/hd.

RJ and MJ Bennett sold heavy Brahman feeder steers for 342c/kg, averaging 539 kg, to return $1843/hd.

Lindsay and Glenda McNab, Nebo sold Brangus weaner steers for 508c/kg, weighing 275kg, to return $1397/hd.

NM and JE Cook sold Charbray weaner steers for 488c/kg weighing 292kg to return $1426/hd.

The Turner Family sold Braford cows for 274c/kg, weighing 531kg to return $1457/hd.

B and J Perna sold Droughtmaster cows for 276c/kg, weighing 585kg to return $1615/hd, while their Brangus weaner heifers sold for 410c/kg, weighing 258kg to return $1060/hd.