Congratulations to Nick Shorten of GDL Roma for his win in the Young Auctioneers Competition conducted annually by ALPA at the Brisbane Show.
I was unable to attend the Show this year but was able to watch the 10 auctioneers on the QCL livestream.
Nick did a top job selling his three prime steers and deserved to win, however all 10 auctioneers gave a very professional presentation of their respective auctioneering abilities and I thought all sold very well.
Special mention must be made of Sarah Packer, Topex Roma, being the first female auctioneer to be represented at the competition.
Sarah sold in a very professional manner and I am sure she has a terrific future ahead in the livestock industry.
Talking to Brad Neven, Principal of Watkins and Co, Roma Just after this week’s Roma sale had started.
He said that he thought the sale opened up a shade easier on the plainer mixed types with the better lines generally firm on last week.
Roma Combined Agents have yarded 6,500 cattle for this week’s sale with consignments from the Maranoa, Warrego, Central and North-West.
As Brad said to me, ”The only real factor that will improve the market is a good early break in the Spring.”
Talking to agents in northern NSW, they reported that the season at the moment is very patchy with useful feed and crops around Gunnedah and Tamworth, however across to Dubbo and north to the Queensland border is in very ordinary shape.
Southern NSW and into Victoria have been receiving fairly useful winter rain.
Toowoomba agents, Elders and Landmark, yarded 683 head at this week’s sale and agents quoted the sale as up to 20c/kg cheaper in places.
Ryan Dellit, Graham Henderson and Co, Dalby reported a yarding of 3,661 at last week’s sale.
Only a small yarding of export bullocks and heavy steers were yarded selling to a firm market. A large number of cows were penned with average prices 4-8c/kg cheaper on last week. Medium weight feeder steers and heifers sold to firm rates while heavy feeder steers were 5c/kg cheaper on the previous week.
Ryan reported a lighter number of store cattle were penned for the 2nd round. Lightweight steers returning to the paddock lost a further 10c/kg on the last week.
Lightweight heifers were firm to up to 10c/kg dearer on selected lines. He also provided a few top sales:
O&D Kummerow, Haran, The Gums, Angus cross steers 281c/kg for $2026 per head. M&G McKelvie, Tartha Cottage, Moonie, Droughtmaster cross cows 215c for $1409. M&L Dickson, Aramac, Santa cross weaner steers 348c for $973.
Russell Walton, Tarcoola, Dalby, Angus weaner heifers 310c/kg for $857.
