The confidence growers have come to have from the Santa Gertrudis cattle turned off Alice Downs, north of Blackall, was evident at last week’s monthly weaner sale, when heifers topped the $3 mark for the first time ever at the Blackall saleyards.
On a day when the market was strong in most categories, with 2788 cattle sourced from Winton, Muttaburra, Aramac, Longreach, Stonehenge, and Jericho areas as well as consigned from local, Yaraka and Barcaldine regions, Sir William Allen sold 570 No 8 heifers to a top of 302.2c/kg.
Averaging 218kg, that brought just under $660/head.
“It was 60 cents above the price for lead heifers two weeks ago and 30 cents over the Roma market this week,” Landmark’s Boyd Curran said. “Sir William wanted to sell in Blackall because he had a strong belief he’d get a similar amount as he would in Roma, without the freight component, and it is his home town.”
Two restockers, from Wandoan and Goondiwindi, bought the bulk of the EU accredited line that averaged 294.9 c/kg, weighing 169.7kg to return $500 per head.
Mr Curran said it indicated the quality and reputation of Alice Downs cattle bearing the Forest Park bloodline.
“They’ve got a reputation as great performers – wherever we sell them, they always get a significant premium on the day,” he said.
Alice Downs manager, Mike Wacker said despite being a forced sale, thanks to the ongoing dry, it had been a terrific result for all.
“To average 294.9c/kg at Blackall when Roma’s market was 287c/kg was pleasing,” he said. “The cattle just perform – people have confidence in them, because their conversion rates on feed are phenomenal.”
Other sale highlights include:
Mandy Curran, Talleyrand, Longreach sold 16 Angus cross heifers for 251.2 c/kg averaging 272.8kg to return $685.31/hd.
RTK & SP Smith, Depot Glen, Stonehenge sold 13 Brahman steers for 282.2 c/kg averaging 437.7 kg to return $1235.17/hd.
Harry and Susan Glasson, Greenlaw, Yaraka sold 10 Santa Gertrudis cows for 228.2 c/kg averaging 534.5 to return $1219.73/hd.
They also sold 26 Santa Gertrudis steers for 314.2 c/kg averaging 198.7 to return $624.17/hd.
MJ & SE Cameron, Romulus, Blackall sold Santa feeder steers for 300.2c/kg to weigh 456.8kg to return $1371/hd.
Kerrin Whiting, Albionvale, Aramac sold Brahman cross steers for 284.2c/kg weighing 358kg returning $1018/hd.
AC & K Day, Jaccondoll, Barcaldine sold Charolais cross steers for 310.2c/kg weighing 290kg to return $898/hd.
CJ & MJ Arnold, Gelebele, Muttaburra sold Droughtmaster cross steers for 292.2c/kg weighing 239kg returning $698/hd
BJ & JJ Eggerling, Wynn Downs, Longreach sold Droughtmaster cross steers for 292.2c/kg weighing 255kg returning $744/hd.
Alibel Trust, Macfarlane, Tambo sold Brahman cross steers for 274.2c/kg weighing 246kg to return $675/hd.
RJ & E Hay, Myross, Aramac sold Santa steers for 290.2c/kg weighing 228kg to return $662/hd.
CJ & MJ Arnold, Gelebele, Muttaburra sold Charolais cross heifers for 264.2c/kg weighing 214kg to return $566/hd.
The Birchley Family, Gartmore”\, Tambo sold Braford bullocks for 318.2c/kg weighing 626kg to return $1993/hd.
Keogh, Wirth & Pedley, Boonamerrie, Longreach sold Hereford bullocks for 320.2c/kg weighing 687kg to return $2201/hd.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
