PROFITS from the first pen to be sold at the Kilburnie weaner sale at Walcha on Wednesday last week went to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
The pen of 11 Angus steers were bought by Nathan McConnell, Elders Tamworth, on behalf of Adrian Spencer, "Mulwaree", Barraba, for 258c/kg, raising $9146 for the medical service.
"Just before our first weaner sale three years ago, my manager at Mount Margaret Station at Quilpie was killed in a plane crash," said vendor Tony Clift.
"It was unbelievable what the RFDS did to keep him alive so each year since then the first pen has always gone to the RFDS."
Meanwhile, the youngest buyer at the Kilburnie sale was 11-year-old Jasmine Olrich, "The Glen", Tamworth, who bought three Angus weaner steers for 192c/kg or $275 a head.
Lamb quality steady
WHILE the first quarter has been dry, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) market information manager Ben Thomas said producers' ability to consistently finish lambs - grain assisted in some instances - has minimised the impact of the poor feed conditions on lamb carcases.
He said for this reason there has been a significant upward adjustment in average lamb carcase weights, which, when multiplied by the revised lamb slaughter estimated for 2015 of 21.4 million head, will mean lamb production is forecast to be 470,800 tonnes (carcase weight).
This will be about three per cent lower than 2004.
"While first quarter lamb slaughter has been high, the reductions are likely to roll out during the coming quarters, becoming more pronounced as the year progresses, especially considering how high slaughter was in the second half of 2014," Mr Thomas said.
The mutton production forecast for 2015 remains at 171,000t, back 27pc year-on-year.
Show steers to $1005
GLENCOE cattle producer Dugald McIndoe, "Strathmore", had the best price at Inverell last week, with an offer of 300 cents a kilogram before the sale from a buyer wanting to use his Charolais/Limousin weaners as show steers.
Selling for $1005 each, the Scotsman was happy to take the three steers out of the auction at that price.
His other 96 weaner steers still sold well, topping at $909 and averaging $806.
Mudgee has the goods
A BOUNCE in the cattle market in recent weeks certainly helped put a floor in the prices at the Mudgee Angus Breeders sale last Friday.
Maria Perry, Rothesay Angus, Bylong, was selling cattle at the sale and said prices held up because of the quality offering.
But fellow vendor Stu Clifford, "Aquila", Two Mile Flat, felt the prices were not much different to the current prime market.
Mitchell Clapham, "Hazelbrook", Ilford, was on the lookout for steers at the sale and thought the sale was a strong one for anybody selling cattle.
"Buyers are getting similar prices from feedlots with steers making from 250 cents a kilogram upwards depending on quality," Mr Clapham said.
All up, steers topped at $930 and cows with calves where knocked down for $1640 a unit.