Cattle sold to solid live export support at the 2023 Katherine Show Cattle Sale held facilitated by Elders Katherine on the weekend – the first sale to be held in conjunction with the Northern Territory centre’s Show for 12 years.

The pick of the judge, ABBA president Reade Radel, for the best pen of the show was for 15 very even and true-to-type Brahman steers in from Wave Hill Station, averaging 341kg, which also attracted the sale’s best price of $3.48c/kg (or $1180 per head), selling to Australian Cattle Enterprises (ACE).

The sale comprised a high quality yarding of pens ranging between 300-350kg liveweight, with two drafts up to 370kg.

Bidding commenced on an excellent draft of 42 fresh feeder-weight buffalo bulls in from Noel Hassall, Bishop Bore, which averaged 292kg and sold to AUSTREX at $2.46/kg, after bidding started at $2.30/kg.

Other cattle producers who are to be congratulated for supporting the rejuvenated sale with pens of excellent quality feeder weight bulls and steers included Rosewood, Forrest Hill, Mallapunyah and Dry River. Vendors were rewarded accordingly, with returns above current market rates thanks to a number of live export and backgrounder orders operating, with Frontier International and Carmor Station also securing cattle ultimately destined for the live trade.

Prices ranged from $3.00/kg for the heavier bulls, while most 300-350kg feeders drew bids from $3.20-$3.30/kg.

Bishop Bore buffalo

NTLEA CEO Tom Dawkins who was at the sale said credit was due to Elders’ Leo Neill-Ballantine for his determination and drive in bringing the sale back to the Katherine Show program.