A slight jump in markets prices has spurred Hannaford producer Ron Austin to yard some of his cattle at Dalby Saleyards on Wednesday.
In total, the Austin family consigned a pen of Simbrah steers and another pen of Simbrah heifers, plus a few cull cows, from their 1200 hectare cattle breeding property called Kendall Park.
“I penned these cattle on a hope of higher market prices after a little bit of rain came across our region over the past week,” Mr Austin said.
Overall, the Austin family’s Simbrah steers sold to 286c/kg for 340kg to return a solid $973-a-head during the Dalby sale.
Mr Austin would like more rain but noted his cattle property still had a good bulk of dry feed for winter.
“By putting out some molasses and cattle supplement licks we’re keeping our cattle moving forward,” he said.
Ron Austin with his wife Coralie run up to 180 head of Simbrah breeder cows and produce cattle for young weaner and feeder markets.
“We’ve been improving the pastures across our property over the past two years and now the positive results are starting to show in our cattle,” he said.
Overall, Mr Austin is still optimistic about local cattle market prices despite the recent downward market price corrections.
“The prices we are getting for our cattle are down almost one dollar on what we were getting two years ago, but I know there was always going to be a balancing out in terms of both store and prime cattle market prices,” he said.
Dalby Interim Cattle Sale Report
Numbers increased to 8200 head a Dalby on Wednesday July 11, the highest levels since March and included in the large yarding were 1633 head from far west Queensland plus 214 head from New South Wales. A full panel of buyers was present and operating in a generally firm to dearer market, according to the National Livestock Reporting Service.
Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 13c/kg better. At the time of the interim report only a handful of heavy grown steers and bullocks had been sold and prices remain firm. Cows gained a further 2c to 6c/kg on top of the large improvement of the previous week.
Medium weight yearling steers to feed have made from 265c to 304.2c to average 291c/kg. Of the yearling heifers sold so far, the best has made to 284.2c/kg to feeders.
The best of the grown steers has made to 300.2c/kg for heavy weights to process. Similarly, too few grown heifers have sold for a reliable quote with the best making to 275.2c/kg to feeders. Heavy cows have sold from 220.2c to 243.2c, to average 232c and be 2c/kg better. The best of the bulls has made to 272.2c/kg for light bulls to feeders.