THE Australian Agricultural Co will hold a one-off surplus steer sale in Longreach next month, offering 6000 young steers from its desperately dry Barkly Tableland region properties.

The sale will take place at Longreach saleyards on Friday 22 March, with restocker interest anticipated across parts of north, central western and western Queensland fortunate enough to receive beneficial rainfall or runoff after this month’s flood event. The heavier end may attract competition from lotfeeders for 70 or 100-day grainfed programs.

The steers are all Barkly composites branded number 8’s (spring/summer 2017-18 drop), from AA Co’s drought-impacted Brunette Downs station in the central Barkly region. Some parts of the Barkly have received little or no wet-season rainfall this summer, and cattle are already moving out of the region in significant numbers.

The sale offering will include about 3000 steers with liveweights ranging from 200-300kg, and a similar number 300-380kg, drafted into tight weight ranges. Ages vary from about 8-15 months.

Steers will be offered in B-double loads, or multiples thereof, marketing agents Elders told Beef Central.

AA Co’s Barkly composites are softer, flatback cattle carrying combinations of Senepol, Charolais, Santa Gertrudis and Bonsmara genetics, designed to deliver meat quality and fertility performance in a package which still retains some environmental adaptation. The Barkly composite cattle have historically found their way into the company’s 100-day grainfed programs.

The Longreach sale, being coordinated through Elders, will be interfaced on AuctionsPlus.

More details on the sale appearing on Beef Central next week.

• Contact Elders’ Cameron Wilson for details  – 0428 657 334.