Mareeba Combined Agents penned a total of 309 head for this week’s prime and store sale, 198 head fewer than the previous week. Cattle were drawn from across the Atherton Tablelands as well as from Chillagoe and Cape York areas.
Local trade steers sold to slightly cheaper values as previous week, back 16c/kg. Some local trade heifers went off to the export processors and values remain firm to 8c dearer, while cows improved by 5c for best on offer. Slaughter ox improved by 8c on last week. Cows remained firm to 10c dearer and bulls didn’t hit last week’s high of 251c, back 7c.
Bull values remain strong with good competition provided from meat processors and traders. Competition on store steers was limited with only two pens selling to a top of 235c. Good quality heifers were confined to a few single lots reaching 235c. Young store males sold from 180c – 237c.
Local trade steers sold from 228c to 229c, and local trade cows made from 169c to 205c. Ox suitable for slaughter sold from 167c to 243c, cows suitable for slaughter made from 163c to 210c, while bulls suitable for slaughter ranged from 130c to 244c.
Store steers topped at 234.2c, store heifers sold to 235.2c, younger store bulls reached 237c and bulls to lice export made 246c.