Queensland cattle numbers totalled 4477 head last week, increasing by 682 head from the previous week. Yearling and grown heifers registered the largest rise in numbers to total 939 head offered.
The largest PTIC heifer offering in several weeks was greeted with some cautious buying, with quality and bloodlines again being rewarded - as prices averaged $247 higher, at $2960/hd. A line of 89, 36 to 42-month-old Angus heifers from Dirranbandi weighing 550kg lwt returned $3160/hd and will travel to Milthorpe, NSW.
PTIC cow prices averaged $41 higher, averaging $2992/head. A line of 102 Santa Gertrudis PTIC cows from Mundubbera, ranging in age from two to eight years and averaging 541kg lwt returned $2350/hd, secured by a buyer in Dunedoo, NSW.
Prices and clearance rates for 330-400kg heifers averaged $128 higher at $2185/hd. A line of 87 Droughtmaster heifers from Aramac, weighing 360kg liveweight, returned $1820/hd, or 505c/kg. The heifers ranged in age from 18 to 24 months and will travel to Lockington, Victoria.
Steers 330-440kg averaged $90 higher, at $2257/head. A line of six to eight-month-old Poll Hereford/Angus steers from Goondiwindi weighing 365kg lwt returned $2280/head, or 625c lwt.
SHEEP
Queensland sheep numbers reached a total of 5166 head, back 1833 head. Merino wethers and wether lambs accounted for 50 per cent of the state's total offering.
Merino wether lambs averaged $132/hd, up $19. A line of 880 Merino wethers from Longreach aged 20-32 months and weighing 47kg lwt returned $117/head.
Shedding breed lambs increased $18 to average $156/head. A line of 280 Sep/Oct '21 drop Dorper/Australian White lambs from Mungallala weighing 41kg lwt, returned $164/hd.
SIL Merino ewes averaged $214/hd, back $22. A line of 170 SIL Merino ewes from Thargomindah aged 17 to 21 months weighing 51kg lwt returned $202/head.
