With the tempest of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie providing a backdrop on the far eastern horizon, Blackall’s monthly weaner sale saw prices of up to 438.2 cents per kilogram paid by people keen to restock.
Reuben Mickan from Busthinia at Barcaldine topped the sale with that price for Droughtmaster/Simmental cross steers weighing 171kg, a total value of $750/head.
They went to LKH Grazing at Clermont.
Reuben’s heifers of a similar description brought 390c/kg.
His father Stephen sold eight weaner steers weighing 136kg for 446c/kg.
They were among the 2200 head yarded for the sale, which agents described as fully firm on other sales around Queensland this week.
According to one, rates for feeder steers were equal to Roma’s prices without the freight component.
Reuben said they’d been hoping to hold onto their young cattle for longer but there had not been enough rain this late in the season.
“We should be green, but that’s been the story of the year – if you’re under it, you’re under it,” he said.
They only measured 8mm from this week’s rain depression associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
After the trials and tribulations of the last few years, Thursday’s result was very welcome for Reuben all the same.
He had walked his Droughtmaster cow herd around southern and central Queensland in search of grass in 2014 and 2015, only returning 70 head to Barcaldine last year.
“We’ve been getting $3.90 or so at Blackall over the last couple of years but this was a great result,” he said.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
