KINGAROY producer Geoff Patterson's well framed Simmental-cross steers hit the mark at Aussie Land and Livestock's annual Coolabunia weaner sale, named the grand champion pen of weaners.
The steers, which were presented straight off their mothers, had been running on scrub country in what Mr Patterson said was experiencing one of the best season's in decades.
"The calves and the cows have done extremely well," Mr Patterson said.
"It's a big difference to where we were a couple of years ago when we were feeding to keep cattle alive and forced to sell.
"Simmentals crosses have always done very well for us. They have the frame and they know how to grow."
The bulk of the grand champion steers sold for 646c/kg live to return $1933/head, with one bound for the showring making 800c or $2320.
Sam Bishop, Cushnie, had the overall reserve champion pen with Angus/Limousin-cross heifers, which sold for 624c or $1762.
The top pen of replacement heifers were a quality draft of Brangus from John and Kathy O'Neill, Kumbia. Those heifers sold for 540c or $1626, heading to the Mundubbera district.
Murray and Bronwyn Lord, Dangore Mountain Grazing, had both the second placed weaner steers which made 656c or $1755 and the second placed heifers. Most of those Charbray heifers made 608c or $1822 with two hitting 650c to return $2048.
Ian and Cathy Scott, Nanango, came in third with their Charolais-cross steers, which sold for 618c or $2083. Aaron Stranks, Sunnyvale, The Willows, scored third place with his Charbray heifers bred at Mount Perry, which sold for 626c or $1474.
The bulk of the 972 head yarding were weaner steers in the 200-300kg range, which sold for an averaged 648c and reached a top of 800c.
Steers weighing 300-400kg averaged 603c, with the best hitting 692c. The 43 steers in the up to 200kg averaged 748c, for a top of 760c.
The 241 200-300kg heifers averaged 611c. A Speckle Park suitable for led competitions topped the category at 908c.
Heifers 300-400kg topped 700c to average 543c.
Overall, the yarding averaged 628c/kg live or $1672/head.
Aussie Land and Livestock auctioneer Midge Thompson said the weaners mustered for the Coolabunia sale had weighed particularly well, bred in what was an exceptional season.
"I think there were a quite a few buyers who were surprised by just how weight was in these cattle," Mr Thompson said.
In addition to solid local support, the sale saw strong competition from Taroom, Wandoan, Springsure and Rolleston as well as Inverell, Glen Innes and Tamworth in NSW.
The next Coolubunia store sale is on May 26, with up to 1000 head likely. Aussie Land and Livestock's second Coolabunia weaner show and sale is on June 23, with up 1300 head expected.
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