Dalrymple Saleyards. Image: Charters Towers Regional Council.

Yarding 2513 Change -607

Isolated storms across the supply area saw numbers fall by 600 to 2513 cattle this week. Quality was very mixed consisting of isolated pens of good heavy bullocks and cows, increased numbers of bulls, supported by several small mixed lines of feeders and young cattle. All regular processors were in attendance and operating, supported by three live exporters, all active at stronger rates in line with other selling centres. Cattle were drawn from Mt Isa to Georgetown, local and coastal areas.

Buyer enthusiasm lifted prices in most categories, particularly anything suitable for slaughter. Medium weight yearling steers to feed lifted 3c to 8c, yearling heifers to the trade lifted 24c, grown steers increased up to 17c, grown heifers were firm to 4c better, bullocks improved 13c to 20c, cows increased 12c to 20c and bulls averaged 15c to 24c higher.

A line of good quality crossbred weaned vealer steers to backgrounders sold for 596c/kg. An increased supply of vealer heifers to processors made to 462c to average 401c to 435c, heifers returning to the paddock averaged 350c/kg. Yearling steers above 280kg to backgrounders reached 466c to average 442c to 460c, while steers above 330kg to feed sold to 462c to average 449c/kg. A limited number of medium weight yearling heifers to feed made from 386c to 414c, heifers to the trade averaged 398c selling to 418c, heavy heifers sold to 414c/kg. Grown steers to live export sold to 424c, trade types sold to 426c, to average 410c/kg. A reduced number of grown heifers to processors made from 380c to 414c/kg.

Heavy young bullocks to export slaughter topped at 458c, most sales from 434c to 450c/kg. A smaller offer of cows met very strong demand, medium weight 3 score cows selling to 406c, averaging 382c to 392c, prime heavyweight cows averaged 398c , topping at 410c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 412c/kg.

Market Reporter: Mick Kingham

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