Show steer sells for 600c
ROMA
There was a yarding of 8250 head at Roma Store sale, down 771 on last week. All buyers were in attendance and operating in a market that started easy and despite supply and demand pushing prices at times, it was still back on last week, in particular on lesser quality pens. Equal numbers of heifers and steers were presented and about 1500 cows. Many pens were drought affected with potential opportunities.
Calves made to 328c/kg. Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range topped at 344c to average 314c/kg. Feeder steers made to 307c to average 271c/kg. Yearling heifers to restockers made to 296c/kg.
Grown steers ore than 400kg topped at 286c to average 278c, with heavier grown steers to kill topping at 265c/kg. Grown heifers made to 250c/kg. Light cows to restockers made to 190c to average 161c/kg. Heavy cows to slaughter topped at 216c to average 210c/kg. Cows with calves at foot topped at $1090/unit. Young bulls, some to live export, topped at 332c to average 264c/kg and bulls to restockers made 280c/kg.
WARWICK
Numbers reduced by 90 head, however still remained relatively high. Overall quality was very mixed across all classes. The trend of a fall in prices experienced at most other markets continued, with the light weight lines the most affected. Vealer steers to restockers averaged 18c cheaper while the heifer portion lost more than 20c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 15c less while the heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 5c/kg cheaper. Heavy grown steers to export slaughter eased in price by 15c/kg. A fairly large supply of cows averaged 8c to 16c/kg less. Vealer steers returning to the paddock made to 319.2c, with a large sample averaging 303c/kg. Vealer heifers mostly sold to background or restockers at about 250c to 254c, with a handful of well-presented classes to the trade reaching 299.2c/kg.
Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged close to 270c and made to 283c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers more than 400kg to feed averaged close to 277c with some to 285c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 245c and made to 250c, and a small sample to the trade made to 270c/kg.
Heavy grown steers to export slaughter averaged 260c and made to 266.2c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 174c and made to 177.2c/kg. The best of the medium weights made to 205c to average 200c/kg. Good heavy cows made to 216.2c with a fair sample close to 207c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 237.2c/kg.
TOOWOOMBA
The supply of stock reduced by 31 per cent and buyer attendance was not as strong as the previous week. Light weight yearling steers to restockers or background eased 16c to 24c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 8c/kg less. However, heavyweight yearling steers to feed sold to within 2c to 4c/kg of the previous sale. Yearling heifers reduced the most in price with losses of 20c and up to 40c/kg in places. A relatively small sample of bullocks averaged 20c/kg cheaper. Cows followed a similar trend to ease 11c to 16c/kg.
Steer calves returning to the paddock made to 320.2c to average 296c and heifer calves averaged 239c/kg. The very occasional vealer steer showing potential made to 600c/kg. Vealer heifers to feed mostly sold in the early 270c/kg range and made to 293.2c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 308c and made to 337.2c/kg. Yearling steers in the 280-330kg range averaged 295c and made to 306.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged close to 280c and made to 290c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers more than 400kg to feed mostly sold in the high 270c/kg range with some to 282.2c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to feed or background made to 264.2c to average 244c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 242c and made to 252.2c/kg.
A handful of bullocks sold to the wholesale meat trade made 280.2c, while most to export slaughter averaged 258c and made to 263.2c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 174c and the best of the medium weights averaged 202c/kg. Good heavy cows made to the occasional 216.2c to average 205c/kg. Heavy bulls made to 240.2c/kg.
DALBY
Numbers reduced by 39 per cent and buyer attendance was generally good and most were operating in a cheaper market. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 11c less, however heavy weight yearling steers more than 400kg to feed eased 3c to 5c/kg.
Yearling heifers experienced the largest losses to average 11c to 20c/kg less. Heavy grown steers and bullocks sold to a cheaper trend to ease 6c to 9c/kg. A good supply of cows reduced in price a further 2c to 6c/kg against the larges losses experienced the previous sale.
Heavy weight yearling steers made from 273.2c to 286.2c to average 282.1c, down 5c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed made from 240c to 266.2c to average 253.7c, down 11c/kg.
Grown steers to feed were 7c easier to 250.2c/kg. Few grown heifers sold, however those that did made from 140.2c to 244.2c/kg. Medium weight cows to processors made from 180c to 199.2c/kg. The best of the bulls made to 250.2c/kg.
GYMPIE
A mixed quality yarding of 1684 cattle at Sullivan Livestocks Gympie sale saw the market easier for most descriptions, with the exception of quality weaners which remained firm. Cattle were drawn from Rosedale, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Aramara, Woolooga, Kilkivan, Tansey, Kenilworth, Maleny, North Arm and all local areas.
Droughtmaster cross steers from The Ford Brothers, Beaver Rock, made $2.70 to return $1346 and $1324. Charbray steers, 18 months, from B. and J. Johnson, Goomborian, made $2.80 ($1022). Quality droughtmaster weaner steers from Dave and Elizabeth Allomes, Miva Homestead, sold for $3.47 ($1052), $3.83 ($1049), $3.73 ($1024 and $946) and $3.71 ($868 and $772). Simmental cross steers from Bruce Viner, Wolvi, made $3.31 ($890) and $3.29 ($784). Charbray steers from John and Lesley Kropp, Wonga, made $3.29 ($849). Droughtmaster steers from B.H. and S.O. Portas, Woolooga, made $3.09 ($916), $3.13 ($899) and $3.37 ($728). Droughtmaster steers from The Williamson Family, Rosedale, made $3.25 ($842) and $3.29 ($658). Droughtmaster steers from John and Wendy Stuart, Coondoo, made $3.33 ($819). Better quality weaner steers generally sold from $3 to $3.45, with the next run making from $2.80 to $2.95.
Feeder heifers sold from $2.40 to $2.58. Better quality droughtmaster weaner heifers sold to a top of $3.31 from Brett Whales, Coondoo. Charbray cross heifers from Tony Mawhinney sold for $3.19. Droughtmaster heifers from W. and J. Paulger, Kenilworth, made $3.23 ($805). Droughtmaster heifers from Dave and Elizabeth Allomes made $3.07 ($795). The next run of weaner heifers sold from $2.40 to $2.82. Cows and calves were limited in supply and sold to a top of $1500.
CASINO
Numbers increased to 1755 head, a rise of 716 mainly mixed-quality cattle. The yarding consisted of 1380 young cattle, the balance made up of 380 export cattle, mainly cows. This eventuated in a general cheaper trend throughout, principally in the young cattle categories. The usual buying group attended and restockers operated strongly in a cheaper market.
Light vealers to the trade sold to cheaper trends of 16c to 20c, while weaners to the restockers sold to cheaper trends of up to 21c/kg for heifers back to the paddock, which included drafts sent to southern orders. Plainer grades of young steers and heifers also sold to cheaper trends of 20c to 30c/kg. Yearling steers were in a minority and the plainer drafts were back 20c/kg, heifers much the same. Grown steers had increased numbers but also sold to cheaper trends of up to 20c/kg. Better conditioned grown heifers were back 4c/kg. Light cows had reductions of 10c/kg. Most heavy cows had cheaper trends of 7c to10c/kg. This was the result of processors being tested, with large numbers of cows being sent to sale due to the dry conditions prevailing in most areas.
TAMWORTH
There was another large penning, albeit reduced in number. Again cows and young cattle made up the bulk as producers are left with few options other than to offload core breeders and production stock in the lead-up to what is predicted to be an ordinary winter. The quality of the offering was very mixed with few quality lines available and most of the weaners marketed through the specialised sales. Condition was generally on the leaner end of the spectrum apart from a few well-finished dry cows. Not all regular processors or feedlotters were in attendance.
Market trends were generally cheaper with restockers not as active, being the same reason as the sell-off. Weaner steers were 14c to 20c cheaper with the heifer portion 13c to 30c/kg cheaper. Possibly the least affected were the well-bred, more sought-after lines of heavy feeder steers. Depending on quality, sales remained close to firm while the less sought-after lots showed cheaper trends up to 15c/kg. Medium and heavy yearling heifers to restock and feed sold to cheaper trends of 13c to 16c/kg and more in places. Some feedlotters were looking to background light and medium weights before inducting them.
The limited supply of well-finished heavy grown steers saw a slightly cheaper market trend. The cow market could not sustain the strong market of the previous sale, recording cheaper trends of as much as 20c/kg across the board. There was increased restocker activity on the plainer condition cows.
GUNNEDAH
A small decrease in numbers, however supply remained high. Weaners suitable to restockers and cows made up the biggest percentages, with yearlings also well supplied. The quality of the cattle to restock and feed was generally good, however the condition reflected the season with the majority on the lean side. There were limited supplies of well-finished heavy grown steers and heifers, while 1 and 2 score cows were offered in large numbers. All the usual orders were in place and participating. Demand for young cattle was weaker across most categories resulting in cheaper trends. There were odd exceptions. The weaner steers to restock saw a cheaper trend of 8c to 9c/kg, with the heifers experiencing similar reductions. Vealers to the trade were as much as 30c/kg cheaper and the quality was not as good. Heavy yearling steers remained close to firm with some quality-related price variation. Medium and heavy yearling heifers to restock and feed saw a cheaper trend of as much as 20c/kg. Plainer quality light weights attracted restocker competition, although the trend was cheaper. The few heavy grown steers suitable to processors were 5c/kg cheaper. Heavy weight feeders were firm to slightly dearer.