Cattle listings doubled from the week leading into Christmas with 907 head offered, an increase of 428 head. Tough seasonal conditions resulted in lower than usual unique bidders logging into the sales, however Queensland buyers were active, with all lots remaining in the state.
Two lots of yearlings were offered in Fridays Weaner and Yearling sale. A line of 60 Hereford/Composite cross mixed sex yearlings were offered by JAG Pastoral, Talwood. Weighing 253kg, and aged 10 – 15 months this line returned $655 or 258c and will travel to Goondiwindi. The second line of yearlings was offered by GD, BM, & SG Thomas, Mungindi, who offered 33 Droughtmaster/Shorthorn cross heifers. Weighing 265kg, and 15 – 16 months they returned $535 or 202c and will travel to Wellcamp. From Allora, a line of Angus steers were offered by Burge Pastoral Co, which returned $980 or 317c. These steers are 309kg, 14 – 18 months and will travel to Warwick.
The prolonged and widespread challenging seasonal conditions are taking their toll on producers as reflected by several lots of cows and calves hitting the market. Clearance was steady however, as only two lots sold at auction. The first was for a line of 90 Santa Gertrudis cross cows and calves from Rolleston, which returned $1320. The cows are 478kg, mixed age and the calves at foot are sired by Broadleaf Santa Bulls, aged 1 – 5 months and weigh 145kg. These cows and calves will travel to Taroom.
The second line of cows and calves were offered by J & P Lyle, Roma, who offered 36 non-station mated Brahman cross cow and calves which returned $700. The cows are mixed age and weigh 393kg while the calves at foot are 1 – 5 months and weigh 59kg. These cows and calves will travel also travel to Taroom.
Sheep numbers jumped in the first week of sales in the new year with 7140 head offered, up 2150 from numbers leading up to Christmas. The clearance rate was also strong at 83 per cent. NSW buyers were present this week with 64pc of sold stock travelling interstate.
FK & MMJ Brosnan, Thallon, offered a single line of Merino lambs, which returned $77.50. These store wether lambs are 35kg, July/August ’18 drop and will travel to Trangie, NSW.
Crossbred Lambs averaged $99 selling to a top of $127. The top line was achieved by 700 July-September ’18 drop White Suffolk/Merino first cross lambs from Thallon. These lambs are Moorundie Park and Collinsville blood, weigh 41kg and will travel to Tamworth, NSW. Also, from Thallon, Dunkerry Partnership offered 1225 mixed sex Coolalee/Merino first cross lambs that sold for $109.50. They are Sept/Oct ’18 drop, weigh 37kg and will travel to Parkes, NSW.
Merino ewes averaged $128 this week. The top price of $155 was returned by a line of 490 Bullamon Plains blood Merino ewes offered by PL & PK Albeck, St George. These ewes are ages 3.4-3.5 years, weigh 53kg with a 2.7” skin and will travel to Talwood.