On The Land
3 April, 2023
Locals keep cattle prices steady
STEADY prices and a yarding of 195 head meant a successful sale in Mareeba last week, with prices averaging at $314.16c/kg or $1080.35 a head.
As the weather begins to dry up, more local stock has made its way to the saleyards, with a variety of spectators and bidders out for the morning.
Queensland Rural livestock specialist Luke Hickmott was impressed with this week’s numbers compared to the market across the nation and can see numbers picking up during the Easter period.
“Today’s market is very strong I think for the Australian wide market, and it seems to be holding very well,” he said.
“With Charters Towers coming back a little bit and a few others from down south coming back I thought it might be pretty similar here, but the locals seem to be holding the prices up and as long as they keep supporting us we will keep running.
“(Some of the highlights of the sales) was David McGrath getting around 440c/kg for his brahman which is pretty good for them and the heifers have been pretty strong.”
Mr McGarth of Petford’s cattle were top of the sales for yearling steer, going for 428.2c/kg 237kg.
Topping the cow money was B Kuchel of Yungaburra with his large brown beauty auctioning off at 212.2c/kg 665kg.
The only bull on offer was a 980kg boy from Nick Trompf auctioning off at 200c/kg
Prophurst auctioneer and sales agent Ian Bradford echoed Mr Hickmott’s comments, saying he was impressed with the market for the morning, the number of locals in the yard and their support.
“We had a large amount of quality local stock in the yards and a strong demand from local buyers,” he said.
“What was most noticeable was the amount of local producers active in the yard. It is good and gives us confidence that the market is there.
“The northern cattle haven’t been coming through due to the wet up there chich means we have majority local good quality cattle at the moment.”
