The cattle market has held up fairly well under hard seasonal conditions over most of Queensland. Roma agents have booked 5774 for this week’s store sale, back a shade from last week’s 6300 head.
I was speaking with Brad Neven, Principal of Watkins & Co, Roma this week and he indicated that many cattlemen across the state will endeavour to hold on to what numbers they have on hand at present, knowing that a break in the season will see prices lift for all descriptions. He said that prices generally are 20 per cent cheaper than this time last year but still very good when pre-2014 prices are considered. Brad said a number of breeders are joining more heifers this year as numbers no doubt will be short, once a general break occurs.
I caught up with Ryan Dellit, Manager Graham Henderson & Co, Dalby, who gave me a report on last week’s Dalby sale of 5328 head. He said that in the export grades, heavy steers and bullocks sold firm on the previous week’s rates. Medium and heavyweight cows to processors lost a further 10-12c/kg, with plain conditioned cows returning to the paddock close to firm.
Feeder operators reduced rates on medium and heavy weight steers to feed averaging 10-20c/kg cheaper. Medium weight heifers to feed being the most affected, up to 17c/kg cheaper. Fair numbers of store cattle were penned for the second round with a large panel of restockers present but operating at reduced rates. All classes of lightweight young cattle lost 10-15c/kg.
Quotes from the sale include the Brown family, Glenalan, Moonie sold Angus cross steers 273c for $1857/head. Owen and Dennis Kummerow, Haran, The Gums sold Angus cross steers 273c for $1943/hd.
Bill and Delta Sparkes, Niagara, Cooranga North sold Charolais cross steers 268c for $1850/hd. The Price family, Eurobodalla, St George sold Braford feeder steers 275c for $1197/hd.
Mick Lynch, Senior Livestock Salesman at Landmark, Rockhampton told me that seasonal conditions had deteriorated around the Rockhampton area and a number of cattle are starting to show the signs of the season. He said 2841 cattle were penned at Gracemere last Friday, comprising 1110 steers, 929 heifers, 238 cows, 122 cows and calves and 32 bulls. The market was quoted as cheaper across the board as has been the case for all markets across the state for the past weeks. Mick reported a strong Droughtmaster two day sale at Rocky last week, with the Senepols, Red Angus and Charbray bulls to go under the hammer this week.
All the best to the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team in this week’s preliminary final in Sydney. They have put in a top effort to reach this game and I am sure all of Queensland will be supporting them.
