National cattle numbers for the week remained steady, totalling 16,259 head listed, with the Queensland contribution increasing to 25 per cent of total listings, or 4022 head, up 1447 head on the previous week. Overall trends saw prices decrease on most stock categories, with the exception of PTIC heifers.
Weaned steers sold from 265c to 310c to average 281c. Biddenham Pastoral Co, Augathella, sold a line of 176 Brangus cross steers for the top price. Weighing 155kg, these steers are 5-8 months and will travel to Dingo. From Goondiwindi, a line of 79 Angus cross steers returned 281c. These steers are 6-8 months, weigh 241kg and will travel across the border to Boggabilla, NSW.
Yearling steers sold from 229c to 263c, to average 246c. The top price was returned by a line of 52 Angus cross steers offered by GM Donovan and Co, Yelarbon. Weighing 273kg, these steers are 16-19 months and found a buyer from Boggabilla, NSW. From Inglewood, a line of Senagus/composite steers sold for 244c. These steers are 10-14 months and weigh 206kg.
Weaned heifers sold from 206c to 248c, to average 230c. Hughes Farming, Tara, offered a line of 46 Angus cross heifers which returned the top price. Weighing 311kg, these heifers are 16-18 months and will travel to Gympie. From Augathella, a line of 170 Simbrah cross heifers sold for 232c. These heifers are 5-8 months, weigh 150kg and found a buyer at Charleville.
Yearling heifers sold for 220c and 225c. From Theodore, a line of 30 Angus/Belmont Red cross heifers sold for the top price. These heifers are 17-19 months and weigh 331kg. A line of 65 Angus cross heifers, a/c BR and TG Gadsby, Morven sold for 220c. These heifers weigh 315kg and are 15-17 months old.
PTIC cows averaged $868, selling from $700 to $993. Box Plains Trust, Thallon, offered 110 Angus cows, across two lots which both returned the top price. Weighing 523kg, these cows are rising five years and are PTIC to Wagyu bulls. From Comet, a line of 66 Charolais cross cows sold for $785. Weighing 480kg, these cows are 3-13 years and are PTIC to Droughtmaster and Brahman bulls.
Cow and calf units averaged $810, selling from $510 to $950. The top price was returned by two different lines. From Comet, a line of 53 Brahman cross cows and calves sold for $950. These cows are 401kg, 2-9 years and a re joined to Droughtmaster bulls. The calves at foot are 1-7 months, average 113kg and are sired by Droughtmaster and Brahman bulls. The top price was also returned by a line of 19 Hereford/Angus cross cows and calves from Cooyar. These cows are 4-11 years, weigh 427kg and are joined to Santa Gertrudis and Hereford bulls. The calves at foot are 1-7 months, sired by Santa and Hereford bulls and average 157kg.
Sheep numbers surged to 9068 listed, up 5269 head, dominated by listings from southern Queensland. Once again NSW buyers remained active, purchasing nearly 70pc of the offering. Merino ewes sold from $86 to $142. The top price was returned by a line of 135 NSM Merino ewes, offered by Burilda Partnership, Goondiwindi. These ewes are 1.5-2.5 years, weigh 45kg, Karbullah blood with a 2 1/2" skin and will travel to Inverell, NSW. From Thallon, a line of 110 NSM Merino ewes sold for $120. Weighing 45kg, these ewes are Pooginook blood, 16-22 months with a 1/4" skin.
Merino wethers sold for $84 and $133. A line of 130 wethers offered by Burilda Partnership, Goondiwindi, sold for the top price. These wethers are rising three years, weigh 55kg, with a 2 1/2" skin and Karbullah blood. From Tara, a line of 277 Merino wethers returned $84. Weighing 38kg, these wethers are 18-19 months with a 1 1/2" skin and will travel to Longreach.
Merino wether lambs sold for $113 and $115. JA and HT Rae, Bungunya, offered a line of 660 Merino lambs which returned the top price. These lambs are Aug/Oct '18 drop, weigh 35kg, Karbullah blood with a 1 1/2" skin and will travel to Gulgong, NSW. From Thallon, a line of 700 Merino lambs sold for $113. Weighing 30kg, these lambs are Oct '18 drop, Dunambral blood with a 1 1/2" skin.
Other highlights saw a line of 630 Coolalee/Merino mixed sex lambs from Thallon return $151. These lambs are Jul/Sept '18 drop, weigh 44kg and will travel to Trangie, NSW. A line of 500 White Dorper mixed sex lambs from Roma sold for $110.50. These lambs are 32kg, Sept/Oct '18 drop and found a buyer from Cobar, NSW.
