Chinchilla district cattleman Don Hart was pleasantly surprised he was able to buy cattle within his budget at the Dalby store and prime sale yesterday.
With the cattle market continuing to fire and following Roma’s record prices on Tuesday, Mr Hart wasn’t convinced he’d be able to secure his feeder order.
He managed to purchase two pens of Angus heifers at 372.2c/kg, buying for Barry and Helen Rich, Amber Downs Feedlot, Wandoan.
“The market is very sound at the moment, and all of the feedlots are chasing the same types,” Mr Hart said.
“That is making the feeder market hold up, as we all are short of cattle.”
“However, what I have bought so far, is well within my budget.”
Mr Hart was chasing both steers and heifers in the 280kg to 380kg weight range, for Amber Downs Feedlot, who feed for 80-days, and consign nine decks weekly to Woolworths.
The market is very sound as all feedlots are chasing the same types.
- Don Hart
Also keeping a keen eye on prices were large scale Channel Country beef producers, Mick Gibson, and son Patrick.
“These prices are the best I have seen in my lifetime, and I would not want to be trying to buy store cattle at the moment,” Mr Gibson said.
Mr Gibson said his properties Sandringham and Bulloo Downs, at Thargomindah, were having the best season since 2011.
“We received 125mm in one fall three months ago, and have had continuous rain ever since,” Mr Gibson said.
“We have heavy cattle to turn off, but it will be three months at least before we can truck cattle off our country.”
Mr Gibson said he hoped the market stayed strong for his upcoming turnoff.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
