![Blackall Landmark manager Trent McKinlay surveys an almost empty laneway as he attempts to sell a pen of cattle. - Picture: SALLY CRIPPS. Blackall Landmark manager Trent McKinlay surveys an almost empty laneway as he attempts to sell a pen of cattle. - Picture: SALLY CRIPPS.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2020416.jpg/r0_0_640_427_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
THE ghosts of cattle price crashes in the 1970s and 1990s loomed large over saleyards in western Queensland this week, as prices at Longreach and Blackall tumbled to record lows.
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The laneways in front of the pens were lonely places to be, with only half the regular panel of buyers in attendance and very few restockers actively looking for cattle.
One line of drought-affected Brahman heifers in the 80-200kg weight range sold for 10c/kg or $18.50/head at Longreach.
The 2990 head on sale averaged 97.9c/kg or $315.91/head.
The following day at Blackall prices dipped to 20c/kg for 280-350kg heifers and 30c/kg for steers in the 220-280kg weight range.
Highs included 147.2c/kg for heavy cows, 125.2c/kg for heavy heifers and 136.2c/kg for steers 280-350kg.
The few vendors that braved the sales were philosophical about the state of the market.
Colin Ross, who has lived at Vacy, west of Yaraka for 79 years, said he made the decision to sell cattle at Blackall this week because he didn’t know what next week would bring.
He brought in a body truck and sold seven cows for 97.2c/kg, five heifers for 109.2c/kg and another heifer for 124.2c/kg.
He said he had seen similar prices in the 1950s and 1970s but the difference today was the cost to do business.
“These prices aren’t going to pay many bills,” he said.
According to Elders Blackall agent Matt McLane, some sellers had not even covered their freight costs with the prices they received.
“It wasn’t unexpected – people have got nowhere to go with their cattle,” he said.
“Feedlots are full, meatworks won’t have any space until June, and restockers don’t have any confidence at the moment.”
He didn’t expect the market to improve until general rain was received across northern Australia and western Queensland.
According to Tim Salter at Elders Longreach, all producers can do is “sell and don’t repent”.
“It’s not going to rain for a while so people should optimise their ability to sell on some sort of market, and be mindful of animal welfare needs,” he said.
Although some lines are very hard to sell at present, Tim said it wasn’t all disastrous.
“We sold cows for $590 and heifers for $710 – in the good times they might have made $900.
“For the top end, the market is 60 percent of where it was. For the plainer end it might be 40 percent.”
He added that buyers at saleyards couldn’t do anymore than they were doing.
“I’d say to people, don’t hang back, talk to your agents and put marketing plans in place.
“You mightn’t like the prices at the moment but it’s still something.”
Agents are now waiting to see whether they get enough bookings to hold sales at Longreach and Blackall next week.
“Our phones have gone very quiet,” Matt said.