Cattle prices smash record

Central Australian cattle price records were eclipsed during the annual Alice Springs Show cattle sale

Central Australian cattle price records were eclipsed during the annual Alice Springs Show cattle sale.

Total sales reached more than $2.6 million at a $3.33 per kg average – more than 30 per cent price increase from 2015.

The annual sale was postponed after widespread rain to allow for more time to muster.

Trailco Industries stock agent Doc Cunningham said it reflected an “excellent season” in Central Australia.

“It is a great season and with record cattle prices – it is a pretty good combination,” he said.

“It is just going to be one of those years. Everybody is trying to get a start mustering their cattle, but it just keeps raining here and there which keeps delaying it. But we are pretty fortunate we are putting a lot of weight on our cattle and the prices are probably the best they have ever been.”

Lucy Creek Station, about 350km northeast of Alice Springs, received the top price of $3.54 per kg for a mob of 156 baldy black steers. At an average weight of 360kg, the cattle held on to about $1275.80 average per head.

Beef processor Teys Australia paid the top price for their Charlton feedlot in Queensland.

Droughtmasters were the top priced heifers at $3.42/kg at a 325kg average.

On Thursday 2260 cattle were sold at the Bohning Yards, about 600 less than last year, however, the 2015 top price of $2.94/kg and 321.2kg average was easily beaten.

Gary Wilson from Coolalie feedlot at Kadina in South Australia bought 191 head.

MaClaren Creek, near Tennant Creek, sold 180 steers averaging about $3.20/kg.

Aboriginal-run Huckitta Station, about 280km along the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs, sold a line of 92 Droughtmaster-cross steers for a $3.46/kg average at an average weight of 340kg.

Elders stock agent Michael Newman it was a “very good sale” with the prices reaching expectations.

“The cattle certainly put on more weight in a good season and this lifts the weight through the sale,” he said.

“There was a really good line up of cattle right through and this was certainly reflected in the prices.”

Another cattle sale will be held at the Roe Creek Bohning yards on Thursday.

Mr Cunningham said he ­expected the fat cattle sale should go “very well”.

“They are all the fat cows and bullocks so we will have a couple of the big processors up here hopefully,” he said.