CQ cattle: Vealers steers reach 439c/kg

Weaner steers were the only category to experience a cheaper trend with the top steer sold for 438c/kg.

GRACEMERE

CATTLE prices have gone from strength to strength at CQLX Prime Cattle Sale on Wednesday, despite a big week of selling in the region. CQLX agents penned a slightly smaller yarding of 2264, 392 head less than last week. Cattle mostly came from local areas along with Nebo and Collinsville vendors. The buyer panel included an extra new processor and was less one of the usual processors. Competition was good on a rather mixed offering. Calves topped at 427c with mixed sexes averaging from 360c to 370c/kg. The major drafts of vealer steers averaged 402c with sales to 439c/kg. Vealer heifers averaged 349c to 357c with the tops at 367c/kg. Yearling steers made to 407c for the best light weight pens to average from 343c to 361c/kg. The best bred yearling heifers sold to 367c with the majority averaging from 320c to 356c/kg across all weight ranges. Grown steers sold to feed to a top of 379c and averaged from 339c to 370c/kg relative to quality. Processors averaged 319c for the few they could afford and live exporters averaged from 340c to 361c/kg for theirs. The top bull sold for 380c/kg in the under 450kg category, while the Clarke family, Alton Downs, achieved 370c/kg or $2196/head for a good run of bulls weighing an average of 557kg. Grown heifers to feed reached 359c to record averages from 330c to 343c and the best finished trade heifers averaged 297c to 312c/kg. Cows to restockers made 230c with 4 score cows averaging somewhat less at 267c/kg. Heavy bulls to live export made to 371c to average 336c/kg. Cows and calves made from $1300 to $1875/unit. Morgan Harris, TopX Gracemere, said many buyers took the opportunity to buy cattle on the Monday special sale, and store them at the facility until Wednesday, topping up their order even further before trucking.

“This had a strong influence over heifer weaner prices in particular with operators looking to add more weaners to their order before transporting them,” Mr Harris said. Weaner steers were the only category to experience a cheaper trend with the top steer sold for 438c/kg, while the average made 379.1c/kg in the weaner category – a 20 to 30c/kg fall from prices at Monday’s sale.

“Central Queensland saw more than 12,000 weaner steers sold across both Gracemere and Emerald sales this week, so we are not surprised by these prices pulling back,” Mr Harris said.

EMERALD

THERE were just a few more cattle penned at the Emerald sale with 1137 head on offer. Cattle came from local areas as well as a fair number from as far away as Collinsville and Townsville. Quality and condition were mixed and given this, prices received were very good. The regular processors and feeder buyers were present along with a few of the regular restockers. There were insufficient vealer cattle on hand to reliably quote.

Yearling steers were also lightly supplied with the best selling to feed for 389c/kg. Likewise there was only a small sample of yearling heifers on offer and the better bred pens sold to 367c to average from 317c to 356c/kg.

Grown steers sold to feed to a top of 394c to average from 359c to 386c/kg. Live exporters were again active, taking most finished steers and bullocks to a top of 385c and averaged from 353c to 370c/kg. Processors averaged from 333c to 377c/kg. Feeders again bought the top grown heifers at 374c/kg for a few ideal types. Most averaged 310c/kg.

Those to the trade made 324c for well bred lines and 284c/kg for those with less finish. 2 score cows to feed averaged 244c while processors averaged 230c/kg for theirs. Heavy 4 score cows sold to 292c to return an improved average of 290c/kg. Live exporters again dominated the bull market, paying to 355c and averaging 341c/kg for the heavy lots.

CHARTERS TOWERS

CHARTERS Towers combined agents yarded 2421 cattle this week following last week’s cancelled sale due to widespread wet weather. With more than 3500 head booked for Friday’s store sale, most of the offering were prime cattle. All regular processors operated at increased prices, with the addition of two southern processors and one live exporter operating on much of the yarding. Cattle comprised of increased numbers of grown heifers and steers, with strong demand from several processors throughout, including light weight lines from northern areas. Cattle were drawn from as far north as Burketown, Croydon and Chillagoe and south to the Belyando and local areas. Grown steers and heifers met very strong demand with increases of 10c to 40c/kg. Medium weight cows were highly sought after, improving by up to 13c, with heavy cows 7c to 11c better. Heavy bullocks increased by 30c and heavy bulls suitable for live export gained 25c to 40c/kg. Limited numbers of vealer steers sold to 372.2c to average 360c, while a very good line of vealer heifers to the trade sold to 314.2c/kg. Insufficient numbers of yearling steers were penned to reliably quote. Yearling heifers to feed sold to 325c to average 304c, with lesser quality types averaging 278c/kg. Grown steers above 400kg to live export sold from 336c to 351.2c, while those less than 400kg averaged 324c/kg. Increased numbers of grown heifers to the trade sold from 268c to 291c to average 279c/kg. A large sample of heifers to feed averaged 252c to 285c/kg. Heavy bullocks to export processor topped at 363c to average 360c, with 2 score bullocks averaging above 269c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows sold to 247.2c to average 226c, while heavy 3 score cows reached 270.2c to average 254c to 267c/kg. One generous vendor donated the proceeds of six prime cows to the Royal Flying Doctor Service for 260.2c/kg. Prime heavy weight 4 score cows averaged 272c/kg. Heavy bulls to live export sold to 367c to average above 360c, while similar types to feed destined for live export averaged near 349c/kg. Small lines of cows and calves sold to $1,030/unit.

BLACKALL

THERE was a total of 4500 cattle at the Blackall weekly prime and store sale. Large numbers of cows and steers to the processor were present and drawn from the local areas as well as the north west. Despite a good quality yarding, and the return of a major processor to the market, most categories eased on previous weeks.

Light weight restocker steers sold at an average of 383c, with the top pen reaching 438.2c/kg. Restocker steers 280 to 330kg sold to a top of 432c to average 371c/kg. Medium weight feeder steers sold to 395.2c to average 367c, and heavy weight feeder steers sold to 402.2c to average 370c/kg. Light weight restocker heifers made to a top of 402.2c to average 353c, and heavy weight feeder heifers made to 357.2c to average 336c/kg. Heavy grown steers made to 334.2c averaging 326c/kg. Heavy grown heifers over 540kg to processors made to 314.2c/kg. Medium weight cows averaged 255c selling to 278c, while good heavy cows sold to 288c with most around 270c/kg.