Queensland cattle sales make a return with prices similar to end of 2017

The first Toowoomba sale for 2018 was held on Monday with a yarding of 358 head.

Trade feeder steers topped at 312c/kg while heifers in the same weight range sold to 325c/kg. Heavy feeder steers made up to 293c/kg. 

A larger yarding of 850 head in Gympie were met with strong demand, particularly cows and calves.

Sullivan Livestock agent Dan Sullivan said heavy feeder steers were fractionally cheaper on last year but recent rain in the district had been a boost.

“The grass at the moment is starting to body up and cattle are starting to perform on it too which helped the market,” he said.

“If (the market) levels itself out and stay where it is now and the better weaners make between $3.30 to $3.70 and feeder cattle $2.90 to $3, it will be a good thing.” 

Elders Livestock Manager Paul Holm said while the market had opened stable, it would be rain that would dictate where it went from there. 

In particular, he said, the direction of the feeder market in the second half of January and early February would gain plenty of attention. 

“I would have thought the margins for all involved in that, processors and feedlots, are all very tight,” he said.

“There is the potential there could be quiet a few cattle from western Queensland moving as the dry continues. Whether there has been enough rain and green grass in the eastern half to swallow those cattle up will determine whether the market maintains or drops off.”

Among the sales making a return; the Dalby sale will take place tomorrow, Gracemere on Friday, Biggenden on Monday, Roma on Tuesday and a female sale at Woolooga the following Thursday.