Market eases up to 20c/kg
ROMA
CATTLE numbers increased by 918 to 5335 head at the Roma store sale. Cattle were drawn from the usual supply area and a good panel of buyers was present however not all were operating.
The yarding was dominated by yearling steers and heifers and the quality of all categories of cattle varied.
Overall, most classes of steers saw improvements, with the exception of the heavy yearling steers. Prices fluctuated both up and down for all other cattle.
Light weight yearling steers under 280kg to restockers increased by 12–44c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to domestic feed sold 10–28c/kg dearer. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed eased 12c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg increased 4–23c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to domestic feed eased 26c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed sold 18c/kg dearer. Limited numbers of grown steers and heifers were present. Medium weight two score cows eased 19c, while the three score cows decreased by 24c/kg. Heavy weight three score cows sold 30c/kg cheaper. Light weight bulls increased 33c to 38c/kg.
Yearling steers under 200kg to restockers sold to 316.2c to average 302c, while the yearling steers under 280kg to restockers sold to a top of 306.2c to average 296c/kg. A good sample of medium weight yearling steers to domestic feed made to 300.2c to average 287c/kg. Heavy weight steers to feed made to 288c to average 275c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg to restockers sold to 250.2c to average 245c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to restockers or background sold to 250c to average 231c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed made to 266.2c to average 243c, while heavy weight yearling heifers to feed also sold to 266.2c to average 261c/kg.
The largest sample of heavy weight grown steers sold to 236.2c to average 234c/kg. Grown heifers under 540kg made to 220.2c to average 216c/kg. Medium weight two score cows to process sold to 174.2c to average 164c, while the medium weight three score cows to process made to 198c to average 187c/kg. Heavy weight three score cows sold to 205c to average 194c/kg. Light weight bulls to restockers sold to 276.2c to average 266c/kg.
WARWICK
NUMBERS reduced by 544 head to 1835. Young cattle were in the largest numbers and the supply of cows reduced to 470 from the very large number the previous sale. Buyer attendance was good with most of the regular exporters present and operating, along with the usual feed and trade buyers plus restockers. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 11c/kg cheaper. Medium and heavy weight yearling steers to feed sold to within 2–3c/kg of the previous week’s level. Light weight yearling heifers varied in price according to quality, and medium weights to feed eased 5–6c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to the trade sold to a cheaper trend. Plain condition cows declined 1–3c, however good heavy cows averaged 9–13c/kg cheaper.
Steer calves made to 226.2c to average 237c, while the plain quality mixed sex calves averaged 170c/kg. Vealer heifers to feed averaged 222c, and the top end quality lines sold to local butchers at 279.2c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 257c and made to 278.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed made to 283.2c to average 265c, and local trade lines made to 283.2c to average 277c/kg. Heavy weights to the trade made to 286.2c to average 276c/kg. The better end of the light weight yearling heifers averaged from 182c to 215c, while the poor quality lines averaged 146c/kg. Medium-weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 228c and made to 238.2c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to the trade made to the occasional 307.2c, with most close to 242c/kg.
Medium weight plain condition cows returned to the paddock at an average of 171c/kg. Medium weight two score cows to processors averaged 175c and the three scores 193c, making to 201.2c/kg. Good heavy cows made to 224.2c with the largest numbers close to 213c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made to 210.2c/kg.
TOOWOOMBA
THE supply of stock remained close to the previous week’s level at 1108 head. Most of the usual buyers were present and operating in a generally cheaper market. Very mixed quality young cattle were in the largest numbers, along with a handful of heavy grown steers and bullocks, and a fair sample of cows.
Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 20c/kg less. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 14c/kg cheaper. Light weight yearling heifers to feed or background lost 12c/kg.
Cows generally sold to a cheaper trend, with the plain condition classes the least affected, easing from 3–4c, however good heavy cows were cheaper by 9c/kg.
A few steer calves to restockers made to 278.2c, to average 244c, and heifer calves averaged 177c/kg. A handful of vealer heifers to local processors made to 240c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock sold to an average of 241c, with sales making to 262c, and the poorer quality lines averaged 199c/kg. Yearling steers in the 280-330kg weight range made to 271c, to average 256c/kg.
Medium weight yearling steers to feed sold to average 261c, with some making to 269c/kg. A small selection of heavy weights to feed and the trade averaged close to 270c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers averaged 199c, with the occasional sale to 239c, while poor quality lines made from 140–160c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 231c, and the occasional heavy weight to the trade made to 296c/kg.
The heavy grown steers to export processors made to 291c, and a few full mouth bullocks made to 251c/kg. Medium weight two score cows averaged 174c/kg. Good heavy cows topped at 227c, to average 217c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 210c/kg.
DALBY
THE supply of stock reduced by 951 head to 5267 at Dalby today and cattle were drawn form a wide area, with 548 from far western Queensland, 452 from New South Wales and 82 from South Australia.
A full panel of export buyers was present, although not all were operating.
Medium weight yearling steers to feed average 14c less and heavy weights eased 9c to 10c/kg.
Medium weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 20c/kg cheaper. Bullocks averaged 6c less and cows experienced a mixed trend, with plain condition cows in demand, while the good, heavy cows decreased 6c/kg.
Yearling C2 feeder steers sold from 240–282.2c to average 265.9c, representing a decrease of 14c/kg on the previous week. C2 Yearling feeder heifers made from 215.2–235.2c, averaging 224.1c and easing 19c/kg. Grown steers in C4 condition received from 274–283.2c to average 276.5c, while easing 6c/kg. Grown D2 heifers made from 180–211.2c, while C4 manufacturing steers received 268.2c/kg. D2 cows sold from 167.2–189.2, averaging 183c to be up 8c and D2 feeder bulls made 180c, as the bull market topped at 268.2c/kg for a single C3 Bull.
GYMPIE
SULLIVAN Livestock yarded 1397 cattle at their regular fortnightly Gympie Cattle sale where the market for all descriptions was slightly easier than previous sales. Cattle were drawn from Gin Gin, Mt Perry, Gayndah, Booubyjan, Tansey, Kilkivan, Woolooga, Bauple, Maleny, Kenilworth, Eumundi and all local areas.
Charbray cross steers from John Crossley, Widgee sold for $2.83 ($1370). Droughtmaster steers from the Dunn family made $2.85 to return $1336. Droughtmaster steers from P & L Kirk, Maryborough made $2.83 ($1247).
High grade brahman steers from Kilkivan made $2.69 to return $939 and $934.
Brahman cross steers from Greg and Kevin Birt, Scotchy Pocket made $2.69 ($1090).
Quality droughtmaster steers from Gillmara Grazing, Gin Gin made $2.77 ($1015), $2.99 ($897) and $2.87 ($890).
Limousin cross steers from Lance Butler, Kia Ora made $2.90 ($1131) and $2.73 ($1081) and $2.80 ($792).
Quality charbray steers from A&E Grazing, Gayndah made $2.89 to return $818. Charbray cross steers from D&J Pointon, Kimbombi made $2.85 ($741). Charbray steers from J. Hall Coondoo made $3.09 ($769). Brangus steers from Ross Speed and Hamilton made $2.87 ($778). Droughtmaster steers from Les Howard, Aramara made $2.81 ($653). Droughtmaster cross steers from Raeburn, Coles Creek sold for $2.97 ($723). Charbray steers from Gin Gin made $2.99 ($715) and $2.95 ($575). While the brahman steers sold for $2.68 ($609). Brangus steers from the Walker family, Gin Gin made $2.89 ($636). Generally better quality weaner steers sold from $2.65 to $3.00. Lesser plainer types were cheaper selling from $2.20–$2.45.
Charbray heifers 14-16 mths from John and Roz Mercer, Kandanga Valley sold for $2.61 ($910), $2.57 ($815 and $797) and $2.63 ($739). Feeder heifers sold from $2.20 to $2.45 pending quality. Droughtmaster heifers from Coles Creek made $2.50 ($586). Brahman cross heifers from Gayndah made $2.38 ($665) and $2.51 ($648). Charbray heifers from John Hall, Coondoo made $2.45 ($614). Droughtmaster heifers from Josh McDonald made $2.49 ($593). Good conditioned vealer heifers sold from $1.95 to $2.22, plainer types made from $1.75 to $2.05.
Cows and calves topped at $1720 for quality droughtmaster cows and calves from Barry Whitton. Droughtmaster cows and calves from Lee Wason, Mothar Mt made $1320.
The next run sold from $700 to $925.
CASINO
NRLX held the regular prime sale on Wednesday, where 1306 head were yarded, with Ray White holding its February store sale on Friday, for clearance of 354 head.
The prime sale saw a slight improvement in the overall price for both vealers and restockers as well as yearlings. The vealer market topped at 272.2c/kg, where one head was sold by GE & BL Makejev for $939.36.
Yearling heifers improved to make to 245.2c/kg, with the top yearling heifer making $980.80 for local producer RW&SJ Ianna, while yearling steers made to 240c/kg, with the top priced yearling steer sold by Russell J & T Cole for $888.
Prices improved for bullocks, steers and cows, where the majority of export cattle were cows, which improved by about 5c/kg to top at 225.2c/kg, with the top cow sold by Townview Pastoral Co for $1,599. Steers topped at 278.2c/kg, with one head sold by local producer Roger Olive for $2050.92.
Bull prices also improved to make to 236.2c/kg, where the top bull was sold by Townview Pastoral Co for $2342.
Ray White store sale saw cattle go to local producers, as well as steers heading to the tablelands and into Queensland, a small number of heifers heading to Queensland and cows and calves moving to the tablelands producers.
Two speckle park cows made $1270 for local producer J&J McKavanagh and a line of seven brangus cows and calves selling for $1460 for local producer Trevor McKenna.