When you sell bullocks for almost twice the value you paid for them as young steers just over 18 months before, it’s a pleasing result in any market.

Longreach cattle and sheep producers Bruce and Sue McClymont sold a line of red and grey Brahman bullocks through Simstock Rural Agencies at Longreach last Wednesday for 173.2c/kg.

At an average weight of 634kg, the steers returned $1098.

The McClymonts purchased the same steers weighing 320kg for 177c/kg or $566 from an Aramac breeder at the regular Blackall cattle sale in June 2010.

The draft received a 400 day growth promotant upon arriving at the McClymont’s property Shadyside, which straddles the watershed of the Darr and Thomson Rivers halfway between Longreach and Muttaburra, and have been on grass at the property until last week’s sale.

The McClymonts breed Merino sheep and trade cattle, turning over between 700 and 900 head of cattle every year. They buy and sell predominantly through the Longreach saleyards but also source cattle from paddock sales and out of the Winton and Blackall sales as required.

To replace the cattle they sold at Longreach last Wednesday they purchased 350kg steers for 1.66c/kg and 200kg steers for 217c at the same sale.

Mr McClymont said the mixture of quality at last week’s sale, the first Longreach sale of the year, made it difficult to assess price trends.

“Longreach didn’t have a lot of mickey mouse cattle there on Wednesday, there were a few quite reasonable ones, and quite a few odds and sods, so it was pretty hard to gauge as to whether the market was up or back or whatever,” Mr McClymont said.

Shadyacres has had a good run of seasonal conditions since September 2010.  While there had been some requirement for supplementary feeding as standing feed went off during that time, overall the country had very done well.

“The season really is excellent,” Mr McClymont said.

“We could do with just a little bit more rain now before the cooler weather starts – it’s nice to go into the cooler weather with green feed – but most of the country is still wonderful.”

To view last week's Longreach sale report in Beef Central's market section click here