Prices firm as Christmas hiatus nears
AS the festive season draws closer, cattle numbers decreased at yesterday’s cattle sale in Mareeba.
There were 344 head of cattle penned, consisting mainly of good-quality prime and store cattle.
Five Droughtmaster cows and calves returned $1260.
Gordon Rasmussen, from Euluma Station, Julatten, about 45 minutes north of Mareeba, who penned six head of Droughtmaster cattle, noted the prices were good for this time of the year.
“The prices have not come back a lot considering it is the second last sale of the year; the prices are firm,” he said.
“JBS Townsville meatworks will be closing for Christmas next Thursday; it was good to get my cattle sold.”
Mr Rasmussen had three cattle sell for 196¢/kg and although he would have liked to get more, he thought the price was fair considering their age.
Values for local trade steers rose by 10¢/kg on last week’s best of 258¢/kg. Heifers were in short supply and fell 9¢/kg on last week’s best of 220¢/kg.
Slaughter ox remained firm, increasing 10¢/kg on last week’s high of 258¢/kg, while cows were limited in numbers and bulls were low on past weeks, falling 13¢/kg for best on offer.
Good-quality store steers failed to reach last week’s price, down by 12¢/kg; heifers sold at 304¢/kg and bulls sold in a similar range.
The last sale of the year will be next Tuesday at 9am.