Cattle
Cattle numbers totalled 2948 head last week, a drop of 1074. The lack of rain continues to be felt across the cattle market, with clearance sitting under 50 per cent across the Queensland offering. This week saw over 100 Angus weaned steers from Bingara, NSW travel into southern Queensland, while two lines of weaned steers from Talwood were purchased by buyers from NSW.
Weaned steers sold for 209c and 210c, with both lines offered by Donelan Cattle Company, Talwood. The top price was returned by a line of 80 Brahman cross steers. Weighing 237kg, these steers are 7-9 months. The second line consisted of 72 Hereford cross steers, 7-9 months and weighing 248kg which sold for 209c.
Backgrounder heifers sold for 220c and 227c. The top price was returned by a line of 101 Santa Gertrudis cross heifers, offered by Burunga Pty Ltd, Wandoan. Weighing 319kg, these heifers are 15-18 months. From Muttaburra, a line of 115 Charolais/Charbray cross heifers sold for 220c. These heifers are 280kg and 10-16 months old.
PTIC females sold for $900 and $950. The top price went to a line of 30 Angus PTIC cows from Southbrook. These cows are 443kg, 3-5 years and in calf to Booroomooka Angus bulls. From Brigalow, a line of 10 Angus cross heifers sold for $900. These heifers are 436kg, 19-20 months and are PTIC to Angus bulls.
Cow and calf units averaged $960, selling from $800 to $1250. Mt Rourke Pastoral Company, Winton, offered a line of 250 Droughtmaster cross cows and calves which returned the top price. These cows are 3-11 years, weigh 461kg and are joined to Droughtmaster bulls. The calves at foot are 1-36 weeks and sired by Droughtmaster bulls. Also offered by the vendor was a similar line of 100 Droughtmaster cross cows and calves which sold for $1150. Marita Downs Pastoral Company, Longreach, offered 384 Angus and Brangus cross cows and calves across three lots, which returned $300. These cows are mixed age, average 410kg and have been joined to Angus and Brangus bulls. The calves at foot are 1-24 weeks and sired by Angus and Brangus bulls.
Sheep
Sheep numbers dropped by over 5000 head to total 3805 head. Buyer interest was impacted by the Easter long weekend and Anzac Day trading period. However, a highlight saw a line of 650 Merino mixed sex lambs, from Bourke, NSW return $76.50 and travel nearly 500km to Charleville.
From Longreach, a line of 1150 Merino wethers offered by RJ & M Kinnon returned $130. These wethers are 21-24 months, Wellgully and Egelabra blood, and weigh 49kg with a 2 3/4" skin. This line was purchased by a local buyer.
MF & FM Murphy, Talwood offered a line of 226 SIL Australian White cross ewes which sold for $130. Weighing 52kg, these ewes are 4.5-5.5 years and are in lamb to Dorper rams. This line will travel across the border to Dubbo, NSW.
For the first time since 2016, AuctionsPlus saw 2777 head of goats offered online, which achieved a phenomenal 99pc clearance at auction. BR & VE Jones, Mitchell, offered 362 Boer doe goats across three lots which returned $150/head or 428c/kg live. Weighing 35kg, these goats are 2-4 years and found buyers from southern Queensland. Perrottet Pastoral Co, Dirranbandi, offered 2400 Rangeland goats. 2000 females were on offer, which sold from $65 to $67. These does are 1-5 years old and average 22kg, while a line of 400 Rangeland buck goats sold for $68. These bucks are 1-4 years old and weigh 19kg.
