Larger lines of stock are consistently moving across the north of the state. Mostly we hear of the live exporters and agents rapidly filling orders destined for Indonesia and other Asian markets. This is a consistent and vital outlet for all northern producers regardless of the season. Over many years we have witnessed northern producers invest in better genetics and seed stock that have improved their breeding operations to the extent that their surplus breeders are sought out by restockers across the state
One such operation is AJM Pastoral Company. Allister and Joanne McClymont run a large-scale breeding and finishing operation in the north from Burketown to Julia Creek and Richmond. Their cattle operation consists of a significant Brahman cross and composite herd and are joined to 100 per cent black composite Angus, Senepol, Charolais and Brahman sires with a tropically adapted growth and fertility focus. The livestock they produce not only thrive in their northern operation, the flat-back progeny are also a very marketable commodity for southern restockers and feedlot operators. Positive feedback data from these lotfeeders has been the catalyst for their cross breeding program and indicates the success they are having with repeat buyers. Most years, and this year to date, Allister and Joanne have marketed over 4000 PTIC heifers from their operation mainly from Riverdale, at Richmond, and Etta Plains, at Julia Creek. To my mind, this would be one of the largest consistent offerings of breeders marketed in Queensland.
This coming week, that ‘saleyard in the sky’ AuctionsPlus will have another run of these sought-after breeders for sale. Luke Westaway, Stockplace Marketing and A1 Assessor based in Richmond, is charged with the marketing of the breeders as he has done for the past 10 years or so. This week 350 Black Brangus cross and a run of Brahman PTIC heifers are available on the Friday weekly AuctionsPlus sale.
Long time Longreach resident Danny Sheehan, along with Nick and Meagan Gregorski (Port Office and Alliance Hotel Brisbane) hosted a lunch on October 25 at The Port Office Hotel. The lunch was The Common Good lunch. The purpose of the lunch was to raise awareness and a few dollars for the organ transplant program at Prince Charles Hospital. An old school mate of Nick’s, Luke Harding (Lion), inspired the lunch. Luke, who was a super fit bloke, contracted a virus last year and unfortunately ended up on the heart transplant list at The Prince Charles Hospital to wait for a suitable donor.
Luke was due to attend the lunch but received a call from The Prince Charles Hospital in the early hours of the morning of the 25th – the lunch day – and the wonderful medical team at PCH performed the successful heart transplant while all enjoyed lunch.
Major supporters included David Tait from Tait Toyota at Goondiwindi and Moree. Tony Joseph, Broncos Board member. Michael Conrad from Newstead Brewing. Scott and Helen Munro from Kununurra. Steve Gray from Wallabella at Wallumbilla. Also Scott McMillan, Managing Director of Alliance Airlines and Mark Smith (ex Longreach) from SLF Lawyers
To donate visit donatelife.gov.au Luke’s remarkable story is a powerful incentive to contribute. Mitch Salisbury (a Monto boy) a 16-year-old BBC student entertained the lunch guests with his wonderful array of music and guitar skills. A huge thank you to all who supported this great cause and again special thanks to Nick and Meagan as fantastic hosts.
Livestock producers are continuing to liquidate store stock in major centres and this coming week looks to be no exception. Resilient prices are not the only reason. The Bureau of Meteorology latest short-term outlook is not encouraging, suggesting a below average rainfall for the next six months, which is our wet period. The latest technology and forecasting capabilities suggests that these forward forecasts need to be considered as they more often than not, are accurate.
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