Rod Turner, key account manager livestock, Landmark Roma, last week reported Maranoa/Warrego Central West and Channel Country were experiencing the worst heatwave in history, for most properties even the ones with feed have seen a severe burning off, with water supplies getting very low in dams and watercourses. Roma sale saw 12000 plus cattle yarded and sold to a dearer market last Tuesday. Kidman weaner steers from Durham Downs Station sold to 388c/kg, and 10000 head are already booked for this week. The Western producers are again facing another year of feed or sell, as agistment is very hard to find. When no break came by early February, western producers where forced to make some serious decisions about carrying cattle forward into another doubtful season. Who knows, it just might start raining this week, Hayden Walker reckons we have got good chance this week, if you heard him on Australia All Over with Macca last Sunday morning.
The prime market was better this week with Ian and Debbie Duff's bullocks from Duffield at Injune selling to 278c/kg, good heavy cows sold to 220c and plainer cows sold to 210c. Processors, like producers want to see a big break in the season so more prime cattle are able to be produced. The longer it takes for a break in the season, the longer the herd rebuild will be. Even in the Maranoa/ Warrego a lot of properties are running about 50pc of their normal numbers, and the further West and North you go the percentage is lower, to completely destocked. Rod added – “Sounds a bit like Hanrahan but we will come through! Queenslanders never give up!.”
