FURTHER evidence of strengthening in northern Australian livex markets was presented on AuctionsPlus just hours ago when a big line of 768 quality Brahman steers out of Legune Station in the far northwestern corner of the Northern Territory made 313c/kg, on farm.
The offering was the single biggest line of cattle on AuctionsPlus this year, and again reinforced the strong potential for the online marketing platform to service the supply chain needs of the northern boat trade.
Three large northern live exporters operated on the mob at auction this morning, which averaged about 315kg, delivering an average sale price of about $980 a head – on property. The sale grossed close to $750,000.
The price was highly competitive, considering that Beef Central’s current weekly Indo steer quote, for cattle delivered Darwin, is 320c. Beef Central’s weekly quote is sourced not from agents or exporters, but large market participants who are in the market on a daily basis. The delivered Darwin quote has now risen 35c/kg liveweight in the past four weeks.
The Legune Pastoral offering, totalling 24 decks, is the largest mob seen on AuctionsPlus since the Hayfield Station turnoff in August and October last year.
As can be seen in the images below, the Legune steers were mostly straight Brahmans with a few Brahman cross, predominantly station bred with a few outsiders from Kidman’s Ruby Plains bought earlier. They were all number 4s and 5s, 12-22 months of age and ranging from 260-350kg.
Landmark Katherine assessors Shane Stretton and Barry Groves described the mob as a very good line of young feeder steers suitable for the Indonesian feedlot market.
The steers presented in fresh store to forward store condition, and were mostly clean and tidy around the heads. They were well-handled, having been conditioned using low-stress stock handling measures.
Up to this year, like most northern Australian producers, Legune has sold its boat cattle direct to exporters, Beef Central was told.
Next week:
AuctionsPlus host the Primaries Kimberley Cattle Sale on Tuesday 7 June, offering 1300 cows, joined heifer sand unjoined heifers. Click here to view catalogue.
Condo, I felt as though I might fall of the perch this morning getting out of bed after, surviving 4 x 15 minutes stanzas at the Condamine Codgers inaugural Golden Oldies Rugby Tournament on Saturday at the “Fishtank” – the home ground of the legendary Condamine Cods.
We hosted 40 odd players from the Sunnybank Puffed Dragons, the East Toothless Tigers, Bundaberg Rum Ruckers, Brisbane XXXX Golden Oldies, plus locals from the Chinchilla Fat Rats and Gundi Feather Dusters . These dedicated rugby tragics ignored the coastal deluge and headed 350 klm west where the Fishtank had 24 ml { along with our oats crop}. Old bones appreciated the softened ground and all the locals were up for a great day on the back of some much needed rain . If you ever want to do a story about old vets that just won’t stop playing Rugby, please let me know { before I fall off a Rugby perch} . Regards Leethal Codger
Great good news story which triggered a “flashback” to doing my first big mob TB test at Legune in 1971 { hell only 45 years ago !!} The cattle were unreasonable “Territory Shorthorns” that had no low stress stock handling. The yard was the old wooden style. We all ended up a bit stressed after a long days injecting. I headed off to nearby Kunnanurra to “de-stress” . An early wet season storm, a few beers and a late night drive back to Legune through a pioneering cotton farmers irrigation farm saw me bogged and eaten alive by mosquitoes. After being rescued by a very hospitable Texas farmer and being brought back to life by the blackest, strongest coffee I have ever tasted I sheepishly returned to Legune to read the mob . Live export profitability has allowed the northern cattle industry to make great strides in cattle breeding and welfare and much improved managerial expertise. Long may it prosper to spite the irrational opposition of crusading opponents .
Cheers Lee. Thanks for your colourful account. There’s got to be a book in the exploits and experiences during the early TB testing days across the north – I’ve heard dozens of similar anecdotes like this one floating around the early vets where were involved. Our advice? It needs to be started before all the ‘old-timers’ start dropping off. Editor.