Cattle numbers in Queensland continued to improve on the past few weeks with 3437 head listed on the box, an increase of 1014 on the previous week. Despite the large listing, clearance rates slumped to 46 per cent. There were 23 lots sold, with 18 going to Queensland producers and the remainder headed to NSW.
Weaned steers weighing up to 300kg averaged 297c, selling from 235c to a top of 325c. From Wandoan, Qld, a line of 40 store Angus cross steers sold for 325c/$725 from account T.T & K.L. Horrocks. They averaged 223kg and are 10-12 months old and were purchased by a buyer from Wallumbilla.
Luke Westway, Stockplace Marketing, offered 1512 PTIC composite heifers across 16 separate lots in the weaner and yearling sale. These heifers were offered as a part of an annual operational turnoff sale for account AJM Pastoral, Julia Creek. The top price was 273c/$950 for a line of 164 PTIC heifers averaging 348kg and aged 27-44 months.
Three lots of cows and calves were offered in the eastern states sale, with two lots selling and the third being passed in. Easy Stock Pty Ltd, Goondiwindi offered 50 station mated Angus cows and calves which sold to a local Goondiwindi buyer for 393c/$1670. The cows averaged 425kg, 25-37 months of age.
From Duaringa, 32 future breeders Simbrah heifers sold for 309c/$1055 on account Nobbs Cattle Co. These heifers are aged 12-16 months and weighed 341kg. Stock history is a long line of high quality breeding of Gowrie Simbrah.
Sheep numbers also significantly increased this week with a total of 7330 head listed throughout the week. Clearance rates continued to rise with an 88pc clearance achieved, with interstate interest from NSW remaining strong, especially around the central west of NSW with purchasers from Dubbo and Wellington securing five lots from Longreach and Muttaburra. The furthest distance covered was by 900 Poll Merino lambs from Muttaburra, on account DT & SJE Fysh, travelling the 1480km journey to Wellington, NSW.
The same vendor offered four lots of 900 Poll Merino ewes from Muttaburra. The two lots of ewes sold for $120 and the two lots of wethers sold for $67. These lambs are May/June ’18 drop, weigh 23kg and have a 1.5” skin. The two lots of ewe lambs were purchased by a Dubbo buyer, one lot of wethers was purchased by a buyer from Wellington, NSW, and the last lot of wether lambs went to a Longreach purchaser.
Merino ewes were in short supply this week with a single line of 345 NSM ewes and lambs from Cecil Plains. These ewes weigh 35kg, are 2 – 6 years of age, have 1.5” skin and are Nerstane blood, selling for $100 from account Congram Livestock. Lambs at foot are 4 – 8 weeks, and weigh 12kg.
