Bullocks top at 298.2c/kg at Charters Towers...

Charters Towers Combined Agents yarded a total of 1617 cattle on Wednesday consisting of 747 prime cattle and 870 store cattle. The prime cattle consisted of 294 bullocks, 47 heifers, 274 cows and 132 bulls. Store cattle yarded consisted of 282 steers, 227 mickeys, 353 heifers and eight  cows and calves.

Cattle comprised of a good line of bullocks with a few good pens of cows. Prime cattle reflected the current heat and dry conditions. All meat works and two exporters were operating. The yarding was drawn from Georgetown, Einasleigh, Julia Creek, Hughenden, Burketown, Mt Isa, Boulia, Bowen, local and coastal areas.

Bullocks were quoted 8-10c easier, heifers were 10-15c easier, cows were 8-10c easier and bulls were unchanged on last week’s rates. Steers and bullocks under 500kg sold to 296c and averaged 282c, and those over 500kg topped at 298c to average 288c. Heifers under 440kg sold to 280c and averaged 230c, while heifers over 440kg topped at 253c, averaging 247c. Cows under 400kg made 215c and averaged 185c, while cows over 400kg reached 229c, averaging 216c. Bulls under 450kg made 296c and averaged 236c, while bulls over 450kg reached 294c to average 267c.

Bullocks topped at 298.2c/kg for 10 Brangus cross ox sold on a/c CP and NA Ferguson, Cardigan Station, Charters Towers that weighed 572kg to return $1705/head.  Best priced trade heifers were presented on a/c Penna Holdings, Riverview Station, Charters Towers that sold for 253.2c and weighed 494kg to return $1250/head.

The top pen of cows was sold by D Fairfull, Townsville, for 228.2c and weighed 590kg to return $1346/head. Bulls sold on a/c CP and NA Ferguson, Cardigan Station, Charters Towers topped at 294.2c and weighed 535kg to return $1573/head.

Store cattle were made up of mixed sizes and types with a few good lines presented. Export types sold well while the exporters remain active with all other types slightly decreasing in value. Steers under 200kg reached 284c to average 282c, steers 200 – 320kg sold to 284c, averaging 260c, steers 320 – 400kg topped at 286c and averaged 271c and steers over 400kg sold to 283c to average 277c. Mickeys under 400kg sold to 288c, averaging 272c. Heifers under 200kg topped at 221c and averaged 203c, heifers 200 – 320kg sold to 238c, averaging 222c, while heifers  320 – 370kg made 249c to average 216c.

A pen of 10 steers a/c O’Brien and Sons made 286.2c and weighed 356kg, returning an average of $1018/head.  A good pen of 21 heifers on a/c Mt Douglas Pastoral Co, Mt Douglas, Belyando made 238.2c, weighed 300kg and returned $714/head.  Four x four cows and calves sold on a/c Cunningham Cattle Co returned $840/unit.