The forecast heavy rainfall over the Central West and Channel Country and some moderate falls over the Warrego, Maranoa and Western Downs failed to deliver. The best falls were along the coastal strip with 100 – 175mm around Charters Towers down to the Mackay area with up to 30mm around Rockhampton. Very isolated falls were received over the western areas with common recordings of 3 – 10mm with the odd storm cells west of St George yielding up to 32mm at Braeside, 38mm at Lynn Park and one fall of 50mm. Most of the winter forage crops of oats etc are holding on well but will need a good drink in the coming weeks to establish secondary roots.
We all appreciate that a number of western Queensland properties are down on breeder numbers, however the substantial drop in numbers booked for the major centres this week underlines the fact that numbers are going to be short for a while. Toowoomba had a good sale on Monday with only 640 head penned. Roma which had a strong sale last Tuesday has booked 3800 for this week’s sale. Dalby agents predict a number of around 4000 for this week. Blackall have booked 2500 head for this week’s weaner sale.
A number of cattlemen will be holding to sell in the new financial year if seasonal conditions permit. With steer weaners at Roma selling to 450c/kg last week, you would think producers needing to sell would be making the move. A large draft of the quality steer weaners at Roma last week were purchased by South Australian operators.
David Eagleson, livestock manager for Territory Rural McPherson, Alice Springs, reported an excellent quality yarding of 3364 cattle last week. The two selling agents, Elders and Territory Rural McPherson, yarded the cattle from the north and north western, southern and north eastern areas of Central Australia. All cattle were in very good condition due to the ongoing favourable conditions in the centre sfter good summer rains.
The feature draft of the sale of 700 Angus and Hereford cross feeder steers ex the Fogarty family, Lucy Creek, saw a run of 320 milk tooth averaging 383kg making 350c/kg head to Morgan pastoral Company. Platum Ag, a Ruralco business snapped up the next run of milk to 2 tooth, 355kg, for 350c. Bullocks and cows were quoted as firm on current grids in South Australia, cows to a top of 220c and averaging 214c. Bullocks topped at 298c and averaged 284c.
Store cattle were limited in supply with good quality 130kg organic certified Angus steers making $530/head. Weaner Hereford steers made to $440/head. David reported solid competition from feedlots from the /Darling Downs, New South Wales and South Australia. GDL director Peter Daniels put together 24 decks of feeders and stores for his Queensland clients. The next Alice Springs Show Sale will be held at Rowe Creek Yards on July 6.
James Saunders, Landmark Livestock, Rockhampton, reported a yarding of just under 600 head for the Annual Miriam Vale Show Sale. A large panel of buyers was in attendance and the show was judged by James Forest of Saxby Feedlot. The Turner family had a successful day, taking out the Grand Champion Pen of Steers which went on to become the Grand Champion Pen of the Sale.