New year off to strong start
TOOWOOMBA CATTLE
THERE was only a small yarding of 358 head for the first sale of 2018, consisting mainly of young cattle with a limited supply of grown cattle offered.
The yarding of young cattle consisted of a good supply of medium and light weight yearlings, along with a few pens of calves and light veal.
Quality was fairly good with several pens of well-bred steers and heifers and also well finished yearlings suitable for the trade.
The market was comparable to the last sale of the previous year with keen interest shown from feeders and restockers, as well as trade buyers.
Restocker calves sold to a top of 359c, while light restocker weaner steers topped at 372c/kg.
The heifer portion of the yearlings attracted strong interest with restockers and feeders paying up to 325c/kg.
Trade heifers sold up to 330c/kg.
The small supply of export cattle consisted of limited numbers of steers, heifers and cows.
The major export operators were not present this week, resulting in limited buyer activity in the sale.
WARWICK CATTLE
THERE was 600 head yarded for the first sale of the year.
Yearling cattle made up the largest percentage of the yarding, while grown cattle were in small numbers.
The yarding of young cattle was of fairly good quality with some good runs of well-bred steers and heifers that were suitable for feeders and restockers, along with several consignments of well finished yearlings, some supplementary fed, that were suitable for the trade.
The market was strong for feeder and restocker cattle, and also for trade yearlings.
Light weaner steers sold to a top of 361c, while feeder steers averaged 304c and to restockers at a top of 357c/kg.
Trade yearling steers sold to 314c, while trade yearling heifers sold up to 319c for an average of 298c/kg.
Feeder heifers were keenly sought after, averaging 306c and selling to a top of 318c/kg.
Considering the absence of some of the export buyers, the small penning of grown cattle met a strong market, with grown steers selling to 283c and heifers topping at 265c/kg.
Medium weight cows averaged 206c and heavy weights sold to 220c/kg.
GYMPIE CATTLE
A GOOD quality yarding of 856 store cattle at Sullivan Livestock’s first Gympie Sale for 2018 saw the market remain very similar to pre-Christmas sales.
Cattle were drawn from Gin Gin, Brooweena, Maryborough, Bauple, Kilkivan, Tansey, Woolooga, Eumundi, Kenilworth and all local areas.
Quality charbray steers from John Crossley made $2.99 to return $1418.
Charbray cross steers from C & T Vermeulen, Maleny, made $2.93 ($1312).
Droughtmaster steers from D & R Fritz, Marys Creek, made $2.97 ($1280).
Charolais cross steers from Ray Zerner, Pie Creek, made $3.03 ($1142).
Droughtmaster steers from Kasmanco Pty Ltd, Woolooga, sold for $2.99 ($1207).
Droughtmaster steers from The Blanckensee Family, Kandanga, made $3.09 ($1026) and $3.57 ($928).
Greg Tombs, Gunalda, sold droughmaster steers for $3.53 ($1003).
Brangus steers from Graham Scott, Coondoo, made $3.45 ($1094).
Quality brahman cross steers from The Brown Family, Brooweena, made $3.35 ($1128) and $3.45 ($1077).
Westonvale Grazing, Glastonbury, sold charbray weaner steers for $3.74 ($1039), droughtmaster steers for $3.75 ($960).
Droughtmaster steers from Chris Black, Bells Bridge, made $3.89 ($1080).
Light droughtmaster steers from Dennis & Sue Billiau, Scotchy Pocket, made $3.95 ($879 & $715).
Next meatworks and store sale Monday, January 22.