Dalrymple Saleyards. Image: Charters Towers Regional Council.

Yarding 2617 Change +7670

Numbers lifted by 770 for a yarding of 2617 cattle. Quality was very mixed with several small lines of heavy bullocks and cows, a large number of northern bulls, while some of the offering was showing the effects of the drying season. The regular buyer panel was in attendance and operating at stronger rates for better quality types, including restockers who were particularly active on young steers. Cattle were drawn from The Cape to Georgetown, with many lines from the local area.

Young steers returning to the paddock lifted up to 60c, yearling steers and heifers to both feed and processors met strong demand lifting up to 40c/kg. Heavy steers and bullocks eased 6c to 10c, grown heifers were firm and medium cows were firm to 10c better.

Suitable weaned vealer steers to restockers sold to 490c, a larger sample averaging 404c to 451c/kg. Vealer heifers to processors sold from 300c to 330c/kg. Yearling steers above 330kg to feed made from 350c to 424c, heavy steers above 400kg averaged 383c to 406c/kg, trade types averaged 390c/kg. Yearling heifers above 330kg to feed sold from 330c to 350c/kg. Yearling heifers above 400kg to feed reached 392c to average 376c, heavy heifers to the trade averaged 387c/kg. Grown steers above 400kg to the trade averaged 378c to 387c, feeder steers averaged 392c/kg. Heavy grown steers to processors sold from 380c to 394c/kg. Grown heifers to processors reached 382c to average 359c/kg.

Mixed quality pens of heavy full mouthed bullocks to export slaughter topped at 388c, a good sample averaging 382c/kg. Medium weight 3 score cows to processors reached 370c to average 345c to 358c/kg. A reduced number of prime heavyweight cows sold from 356c to 370c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made to 364c/kg.

A small number of cows and calves sold to $1,000 per unit.

Market Reporter: Mick Kingham

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