Winton agent Jack Brodie and property manager Scott Holcombe returned home empty-handed from the cattle sale at Blackall on Thursday but said there was value on offer.
“We had a bargain budget, and even though there was a lot of value in some of the smaller steers and heifers, the numbers were a bit too small to be worthwhile taking back,” Jack said.
Scott manages Corfield Downs north of Winton, which trades in dry cattle.
According to Jack, the season has been good enough for parts of the region to consider restocking.
“It’s hayed right off but there’s still bulk there,” he said. “In saying that, to the south, and round Kynuna, and north and east of Winton, up around Stanford is pretty ordinary still.”
Jack added that most in the area had some stock on hand and weren’t chasing cattle in a big way.
“They’re still cautious about the season, and about overloading their country when they might have to offload again in a couple of months.
“Some have only got short feed that will run out, so we might see some action then.”
Elders Blackall’s Matt McLane said good quality weaners sold strongly within a general market trend downwards.
“They were bringing over $3, which no-one’s going to sneeze at, but the margin is getting greater between them and the next level of cattle on offer.”
He described the fat job as “a disgrace” at 40 cents lower than other Queensland market prices this week, attributing it to a lack of buyer support due to the two short selling weeks.
