Dalrymple Saleyards. Image: Charters Towers Regional Council.

Yarding 3659 Change +712

Numbers lifted by 700 for a yarding of 3659 cattle in a combined prime and store sale. Quality was mixed comprising of more than 500 bullocks and over 300 bulls, while a good supply of young cattle were penned in a broadly easier market. The regular buyer panel and one live exporter were operating along with opportunity feeders and backgrounders. Cattle were drawn from Mt Isa to the east coast and local areas

Demand fluctuated throughout the sale, with vealer and yearling steers attracting good demand from feeders and backgrounders as did a very good line of PTE feeder heifers. Heavy steers were well represented and were keenly sought by feeders, processors and live export. Heavy cows, bullocks and bulls continued to soften with averages 8c to 15c across many categories, with reductions as much as 50c on some heavyweight bulls and bulls.

A good supply of crossbred vealer steers to backgrounders averaged 435c, reaching 482c for best pens similar heifers to processors sold to 290c/kg. Light yearling steers to background made to 414c to average 375c/kg. An increased supply of yearling steers above 330kg to feed ranged from 342c to 388c, a good line to backgrounders averaged 388c/kg. A large sample of yearling steers above 400kg to feed averaged 373c, a small number to the trade averaged 362c/kg.  Light yearling heifers to restockers reached 298c to average 284c and good quality heifers above 280kg made to 322c to average 317c/kg. A good supply of medium weight PTE yearling heifers to feed lifted 33c to average 355c, selling to 372c, heifers to the trade made from 280c to 368c/kg. Grown steers above 400kg to processors made to 350 to average 329c, suitable steers to live export averaged 348c and heavy grown steers to processors sold from 338c to 362c/kg. A reduced number of good quality prime grown heifers to processors sold from 296c to 340c/kg.

A mixed quality offering of aged bullocks to export slaughter topped at 368c to average 352c, those to live export averaged 350c/kg. Fewer numbers of cows sold to strong demand at lower rates than last sale. Medium weight 3 score cows made from 270c to 318c, while a good offering of prime heavyweight cows topped at 332c to average 320c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made to 358c/kg.

Market Reporter: Mick Kingham

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