Dalrymple Saleyards. Image: Charters Towers Regional Council.

Yarding 3514 Change +1327

The recent improvements in price and a break in the storms saw numbers increase to 3514 cattle in a Combined Prime and Store Sale. Quality was mostly good, with 1170 bullocks and 460 cows included in the offering. All regular operators and one live exporter, opportunity backgrounders and restockers were all active throughout. Cattle were drawn from Mt Isa to the east coast and south to The Belyando.

Consistent buyer participation resulted in continued strength in prices on all categories. Quality related price changes were evident on secondary restocker and light feeder types. Grown steers were firm to 20c better, prime grown heifers lifted up to 25c, bullocks were firm to 3c easier, cows improved 5c to 9c and bulls averaged 8c to 11c higher.

Young weaned vealer steers averaged 461c to 466c, selling to an isolated 522c for some excellent flat back steers. Vealer heifers to restockers and backgrounders sold from 350c to 468c, processor types averaged 393c to 415c/kg.

Yearling steers under 330kg to backgrounders made from 452c to 472c and steers above 330kg to feed averaged 480c to 507c, selling to 522c/kg. Backgrounder steers sold to 488c to average 431c/kg. Good quality similar weight heifers to feed sold to 478c to average 439c/kg. A good sample of grown steers above 400kg to feed made to 512c to average 492c to 500c, trade types sold from 404c to 480c/kg. An increased supply of prime grown heifers to the trade ranged from 360c to 456c/kg.

Heavy full mouthed bullocks to export slaughter sold to 498c, a very large sample averaged 482c to 488c/kg. Lightweight cows to processors sold to 394c to average 372c/kg. Medium weight 3 scores reached 428c to average 410c and a small number of prime heavyweight cows sold from 400c to 438c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors sold to 422c/kg.

Market Reporter: Mick Kingham

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