Prices for weaner calves at Stanthorpe, Qld on Thursday reflected the quality on offer with 2200 head attracting strong bids from backgrounders, feedlots and restockers.
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Steers averaged $1523 a head at 592 cents a kilogram with lightweights making up to 724 c/kg.
Steers to feed made up to $2058/hd for Angus, 350kg at 588c/kg, from Mark Chorley, Tenterfield, who passed away suddenly, at home, one month ago this week. In the laneway, buyers, agents and observers quietly took off their hats and stood silent for a minute. The winning bidders were the Benn family, East Lynne at Dalveen.
Ian Glasby, Emu Vale, sold Angus steers 363kg for 544c/kg or $1974.72
Angus weaners bred to an all-Texas type by Booky Cattle Co, Wilsons Downfall, 344kg, made 552c/kg or $1925.10. They also sold steers 230kg for 706c/kg or $1623.80.
The operation owned by Brad and Lisa Jackson purchased 20 Texas bulls at the 2018 sale and now retain 30 to serve more than 1200 breeders when the eastern fall property is running at full capacity. During drought breeders were culled by half with the remaining herd more true to type," said Mr Jackson.
Angus off country at Texas, Qld made $1899.04 for Angus calves from the Lang family.
Angus steers, EU accredited from Grabond Holdings, Eukey, 316kg made 610c/kg or $1927.60.
The majority of offerings came from local producers offloading late season calves after a delayed start to their summer, with many still feeding stock after Christmas.
Doriza Pastoral at Wilsons Downfall sold Angus with Alumy blood to $1697.28 for 272 kilograms at 624 cents a kilogram with manager John Rogers saying calves were lighter by 30kg compared to previous years in spite of their mothers being fed hay and molasses into January. "But once the season changed they really went ahead," he said.
Fred Whitbread, Dalveen, sold bright Charolais with Palgrove blood 182kg for 700c/kg or $1274.
"I made my money handling wool," he said. "but I really enjoy breeding these cattle."
Stuart Hoffman, Emu Vale, sold Angus steers 185kg for 700c/kg or $1295.
Heifers averaged $1237 at 541.3c/kg reaching 670c/kg.
EU accredited and weaned Angus Heifers with Hazeldean blood at close to joining weight and bought as breeders reached a sale high top of $1963.10 a head for 293kg at 670c/kg from Rod and Glenda Reeves, Wyuna at Amosfield, who sold down by 25-30pc in the drought and are now in the process of rebuilding.
"We've kept the bulk of our heifers. We need to breed to catch up," said Mr Reeves.
Wyuna sold three pens of steers to average steers to average 300kg at 616c/kg or $1848.
Charolais/Angus heifers sired with Palgrove blood from the Hopgood family, Dalveen, 269kg brought 550c/kg or $1479.50.
EU accredited white face heifers from M Flint, Dalveen, 261kg made 548c/kg or $1430.28.
Ray Wilmot, Glen Niven, sold Angus steers 313kg for 548c/kg or $1715.24. His heifers, 196kg, sold for 580c/kg or $1136.80.
Angus heifers from Rookwood Trust, 274kg, sold for 482c/kg or $1320.68 with buyer Samantha Foster, Wallangarra, planning to put them to a Speckle Park bull.
The sale was hosted by George and Fuhrmann, Warwick.
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