Cattle numbers more than doubled from the previous week, totalling 2491 head, an increase of 1584 head. Clearance picked up this week to 58 per cent, with most lots remaining in Queensland. NSW buyers were again active with 321 head travelling interstate. Highlights include two lots of Santa Gertrudis cross cows and calves, from Blackhall travelling 1176km to Condobolin, NSW. The cows are 464kg and 471kg, mixed age and the calves at foot are 2 – 12 weeks of age and averaged 97kg, with both lots selling for $1090.
Weaned heifers weighing under 300kg averaged 208c and sold from 180c to 232c. The top price was achieved by 72 Hereford cross Cootharaba and Wararba blood heifers. Weighing 281kg, 11 – 15 months and will travel to Dalby.
Weaned steers weighing up to 350kg averaged 265c selling from 259c to 270c. The top price was achieved by a line of 29 backgrounder Composite cross steers from Bymount. Weighing 315kg, 14 – 17 months and will travel to Roma.
Three lots of PTIC cows were offered in the Eastern States sale on Friday. Two lots of PTIC Brahman cows were offered from Biloela. The first line of 67 Brahman cross cows returned $900 and will travel to Taroomball. These cows are 447kg, mixed age and are joined to Charolais bulls. The older line offered by the same vendor were offered as 57 PTIC Brahman cross cows, returning $850 and will also travel to Taroomball. Weighing 446kg, mixed age, and joined to Charolais bulls.
Cow and calves were in high supply this week with 576 head listed on the box and averaged $1014. The top price of $1250 was returned by a line of 60 station mated Droughtmaster cross cows and calves which will travel to Longreach. The cows are 417kg, 2 -3 years and are joined to Droughtmaster bulls and the calves at foot are 1 – 3 months of age.
Other highlights saw 10 station mated Charolais cross cows and calves from Texas sell for $625 and will travel to Dunedoo, NSW. The cows are 454kg, 7 – 10 years, joined to Charolais bulls and the calves at foot are aged 1 – 16 weeks and averaged 74kg.
Sheep numbers remained steady with 7075 head listed, a slight drop of 65 head from last week. The tough seasonal conditions are continuing to have an effect on clearance rates with three lots selling at auction.
From Clement Mills, 38 future breeder Dorper ewe lambs sold for $82. These ewes are 31kg, Mar/May ’18 drop, with a ¾” skin, and will travel to Warwick.
From Mungindi, 800 Merino wether lambs sold for $78.50. These wethers are 28kg, Aug/Sep ’18 drop, have a 1½” skin and will travel 1042km to Bombala, NSW.
225 Merino wether were offered from Cunnamulla and returned $70. These wethers are 41kg, 2 – 4 years, Darriwell blood, have a 1” skin and were purchased by a local buyer.