NUMBERS UP ON LAST WEEK

TOOWOOMBA ELDERS

NUMBERS increased by 565 this week to hit 1574.

There was a large lift in supply and yearling heifers dominated the young cattle, while cows were in the largest numbers in the grown cattle section. A full panel of buyers was present, with representatives covering all classes. The larger numbers allowed average prices to vary in the young cattle section, however good quality lines maintained a firm trend. Heavy grown steers and bullocks improved by a further 1c to 2c/kg. The large supply of cows could not maintain the previous week’s high rates and a large consignment of HGP treated lines allowed average prices to ease by 6-10c/kg. Vealer heifers mostly sold in the 170c range, with some to 187.2c/kg. Light weight yearling steers to feed made to 200c to average 183c/kg. A relatively small selection of poor condition medium weights to feed averaged 181c, while some better lines sold to 200.2c/kg. The occasional heavy weight to the trade made to 214.2c, while most of the heavy feeders averaged 200c and made to 210c/kg. A large sample of light weight yearling heifers sold to local and southern processors at 163c, while a few returning to the paddock averaged 182c/kg. Medium weights to the trade averaged close to 180c and made to 208.2c, while heavy weights averaged 181c and made to 210c/kg.

Heavy grown steers to export slaughter made to 216.2c to average 207c and a fair sample of bullocks averaged 210c and made to 216.2c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 140c and the 3 scores 155c/kg. Good heavy cows made to top of 197.2c, with most at 178c/kg. Heavy bulls reached 217.2c/kg.

TOOWOOMBA LANDMARK

NUMBERS increased by 66 to hit 616 this week. The supply of stock remained close to the previous week and there was a wide variation in quality especially in the young cattle section. Buyer attendance was good and all were operating. Prices for young cattle varied according to quality and the few heavy grown steers and bullocks sold to very solid demand. Cows sold to a mixed trend with the medium weight plain condition classes receiving strong demand, however the good heavy cows lost ground in price. The occasional vealer steer with show ring potential made to 239.2c/kg. Vealer heifers to slaughter averaged 176c and made to 190.2c/kg. Lightweight yearling steers to feed and restockers averaged 186c and 193c/kg, respectively.

Plain condition medium weights to feed averaged 187c and the better lines 197c with sales to 207c/kg. Heavy feeders made to 206.2c to average 203c/kg. Lightweight yearling heifers to feed averaged 165c and medium weights 175c/kg. Local trade classes in the medium weight range averaged 182c and made to 187.2c and heavyweights averaged 177c/kg. A few heavy steers averaged 205c and bullocks averaged 203c with the occasional sale to 220c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 141c and 3 scores 157c/kg. Good heavy cows managed to reach 194.2c with most around 177c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 210.2c/kg.

TOOWOOMBA O’SULLIVAN

NUMBERS hit 616 this week.

Again this week we saw a good line-up of export cattle being yarded, the was also a good run of yearling cattle to suit feedlot trade with limited numbers of better finished lines to suit the butcher trade. Some ex-led steers sold to 220c and some vealer steers with show ring potential sold to 239.2c.

Prime cows lost ground on last week from 3-8c as did bullocks. Steers suitable to feedlot specs held ground. Restockers again in market on prime weaner steers paying up to 217c. Best heavy bulls this week to 210c. Limo steers with show ring potential from Oakey sold for 239.2c 240kg for $574, droughtmaster feeder heifers 382kg sold for 178.2c for $682, charolais bulls 763kg sold for 208.2c for $1589, and fresian steers 627kg sold for 176.2c for $1105. Droughtmaster cows 650kg sold for 187.2c for $1216, angus bullocks from Moonie 640kg sold for 202.2c for $1294, angus cows 605kg sold for 189.2c, charolais feeder steers 382kg sold for 206.2c, droughtmaster steers from Westbrook 529kg sold for 208.2c for $1101, charolais cows From Linthorpe 712kg sold for 194.2c for $1383, and limo cross led steer 550kg sold for 218.6c for $1202.

WARWICK CATTLE

NUMBERS increased by 319 to hit 1681 at Warwick.

The supply of stock lifted 23% and overall quality was fair to good. A full panel of export processors was present and operating, along with the usual feeder operators and a few restocker buyers. Prices for vealer heifers and lightweight yearling heifers eased from the improvements experienced the previous sale. Medium and heavy weight yearling steers and heifers to feed were dearer, with yearling steers gaining 6-8c, while the heifer portion improved the most, to average 14c/kg better. The handful of heavy grown steers and bullocks received strong demand. Medium weight plain conditioned cows saw very strong support from processors, however good heavy cows struggled to maintain the previous week’s high level. Calves to restockers averaged 179c and made to 213.2c/kg. Vealer steers also returning to the paddock made to a top of 236.2c, to average 222c/kg. Vealer heifers averaged in the mid-180c/kg range, with a small selection to local butchers reaching 204.2c/kg. The large sample of lightweight yearling steers returned to the paddock at 192c, with some to 217.2c/kg. Plain conditioned medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 196c, while the better lines averaged 209c and made to 213.2c/kg. Heavyweights to feed made to 211.2c, to average 204c and a few to the trade made to 206.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed generally sold to 180c, with a few pens reaching 195c/kg. Slaughter classes mostly sold around 190c, with sales to 198.2c/kg. Heavy grown steers made to 216.2c, to average 209c and a few bullocks averaged 202c and made to the occasional 221.2c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 140c and made to 154.2c/kg. Good heavy cows made to 191.2c, to average close to 179c/kg. Heavy bulls improved a further 10c to average 208c and made to 227.2c/kg.

DALBY CATTLE

September 3 report:

NUMBERS increased by 2652 to hit 7287 head.

The improvement in prices lifted supply to the highest level since February 2013. There was a wide variation in the quality of the young cattle, while the overall standard of the heavy grown steers and bullocks was good. A large supply of good quality cows dominated the grown cattle section. Buyer attendance was good and included all major processors and feeder operators, plus an increased number of restockers. Buyers were able to absorb the larger supply, plus lift prices further. Young lightweight cattle returning to the paddock improved in price by 5-15c/kg. Medium and heavy weight yearling steers to feed gained 5-8c/kg. Heavy grown steers and bullocks to export slaughter lifted by 5-6c/kg. All classes of cows continued to improve in price and sell to record levels, with the larger supply averaging 5-9c/kg better. A large number of calves from drought affected areas experienced strong support from local restockers and averaged 206c, with one large consignment reaching 246.2c/kg. The relatively small selection of vealer heifers improved 4-5c to average in the 190c/kg range. A fair selection of light weight yearling steers returned to the paddock at 208c, with sales to 223.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed sold to 217.2c to average 205c and the heavyweights mostly sold around 204c, with sales to 215.2c and some returning $1065/head. Medium weight yearling heifers were well supplied and plain condition classes to feed averaged 176c, while the better lines reached 208.2c to average 190c/kg. A large selection of heavy weights to feed averaged 186c, while a good sample to slaughter averaged 183c and made to 203.2c/kg. Export processors displayed a keen interest to purchase the good quality line-up of bullocks and paid to 216.2c, with most at 210c/kg. This trend flowed onto the cow section with medium weight 2 scores averaging 145c, with sales to 159.2c/kg. Good heavy cows made to a record of 202.2c, with the largest numbers at 192c/kg. Heavy bulls also sold to dearer trend to reach 225.2c, with a large sample averaging close to 200c/kg.

ROMA STORE

NUMBERS fell by 343 to hit 4866 this week.

Mixed quality store cattle were drawn from across the usual south, central, and north-west parts of Queensland. Similar numbers of restocker buyers were at the sale, while extra Queensland domestic feedlot buyer competition helped boost medium weight yearling steer prices by 6c/kg. Good quality heifers continued to sell well, but plain sorts struggled to maintain the previous sale averages. Light weight yearling heifers to processors declined 13c/kg on average. Light weight yearling steers sold to 222c and averaged 206c, up 4c, while plainer lines sold between 159c and 175c, down 6c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed made to 213c and averaged 201c, up 6c, and D muscled sorts sold between 172c and 179c/kg. Those returning to the paddock hit 206c and averaged 203c, up 3c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed reached 214c and averaged 204c/kg, unchanged in price. Light weight yearling heifers to processors hit 188c and averaged 174c, down 13c, while those to restocker buyers sold around 184c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed earned to 196c and averaged 186c, down 6c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed topped at 192c/kg. Good heavy weight 4 score cows reached 197c and averaged 189c, down 1c/kg.

ROMA PRIME

September 4 report:

NUMBERS increased by 423 to hit 1425 at Roma.

Good numbers of mixed quality prime cattle were penned. All the usual export processors were present and operating. Strong competition between export processor buyers continued for grown steers, bullocks and grown heifers. While all categories of cows remain at very high price levels, demand weakened slightly and some export processors were reluctant at times to spend similar money as the previous prime sale. Good heavy bulls sold very well and topped at 215c/kg. A few heavy weight yearling steers sold to 210c and averaged 204c/kg. Medium weight grown steers reached 217c and averaged 205c, down 6c, while bullocks earned to 211c and averaged 205c, down 2c/kg. Medium weight 3 score grown heifers sold to 174c and averaged 172c, up 13c, while those with more cover, score 4, made to 197c and averaged 185c, down 11c/kg. Medium weight 3 score cows sold to 183c and averaged 167c, up 12c/kg. Heavy weight 3 score cows topped at 182c and averaged 168c, down 6c, while heavy weight 4 score cows reached 194c and averaged 187c, down 1c/kg. Medium weight bulls sold to 205c and averaged 187c, down 9c, while heavy bulls made to 215c and averaged 194c, down 5c/kg.

MORETON GRAIN-ASSIST

AGENTS yarded 1026 cattle on Tuesday. Values for yearlings and veal remained very firm on last week. Good trade were in demand and sold well. Heavy and light feeder cattle still command top rates. Export bullocks sold to excellent rates not seen for many months. All cows were firm. Yearling heifers account J Cupitt sold for 185.2c weighing 295kg to return $546. Grain assist yearling heifers account Terry Foote of Boonah sold for 188.2c weighing 245kg to return $461. R and E Barrett sold euro x yearling heifers for 183.2c weighing 285kg to return $522. Tinton Grazing sold euro x grain assist steers for 195c weighing 450kg to return $877. Charbray yearling heifers account San Ed sold for 170.2c weighing 460kg to return $782. Brangus x grain assist steers account Brad and Sarah Ness of Tambourine sold for 194.2c weighing 410kg to return $ 796. Droughtmaster x steers account Fernbank Pastoral sold for 204.2c weighing 440kg to return $898.48.

WARWICK SHEEP

AGENTS yarded 640 lambs and hoggets, and 98 sheep on September 3. Top lambs account J and S Box of Murrays Bridge sold for $149 purchased by Paynes Meats. In a much smaller yarding of both sheep and lambs, the market was appreciably stronger for all descriptions.

Quotations: crossbred lambs 46-55kg $102-$141, 42-45kg $104-$149, 36-42kg $96-$134 and 35-40kg $86-$104. Crossbred hoggets 45kg to $109 (shorn).

TOOWOOMBA PIGS

AGENTS sold 200 pigs with backfatter sows still selling to excellent rates. Prime pork firm with plainer types of pork and bacon easier. Quality store and weaner pigs selling to good market with most buyers failing to fill orders.

Quotations: prime pork $2.80-$3.20/kg, prime light bacon $2.68-$3/kg, prime bacon $2.20-$2.80/kg, boars 20c/kg, sows to $1.19/kg. Forward stores $140-$152, and weaners $95-$120.