THE store cattle market remained strong at Tamworth on Friday, with high demand from restockers looking for both trade and breeding cattle.
About 1800 head were yarded, made up of 600 steers, 400 heifers, 600 cows and 200 cows and calves.
The sale included a large line of 620 cows from Kilburnie Cattle Company, Mt Margaret Station, Quilpie, as well as cattle from local areas.
Patrick Purtle, Purtle and Plevey Agencies, Manilla, said the sale was slightly dearer than the previous fornightly store sale, depending on quality and weight.
Buyers came from the New England, Hunter Valley and North West.
“The middleweight weaner steers were up to $30 a head dearer and light weaner steers were a fraction dearer, up $20 to $50 a head,” he said.
Light weaner steers weighing from 410kg to 200kg sold from $500 to $850 and middleweight weaner steers from 220kg to 280kg made between $750 and $1100.
Light weaner heifers ranged from $440 to $680 and middleweight weaner heifers sold from $600 to $960.
Feeder heifers weighed from 320kg to 340kg and made between $1020 and $1100.
PTIC heifers ranged from $1500 to $2000 for cattle from Tony Clift, Kilburnie Cattle Company, and cows and calves sold from $1400 to $2100.
“While the season continues like this demand for lighter restocker cattle will remain high but the meat side of the business could influence prices in the next few months,” Mr Purtle said.
“Buyers are very focused on restocking with quality so that side of the job will stay strong.
“We may see a change in the heavier feeder market in keeping with the softer meat market.”
Mr Clift, who sold the large line of breeders, was pleased with the prices.
He had to destock the Queensland property and will have another 1700 breeders on offer within the next month.
His Angus cows, in calf to Bonsmara/Angus composite bulls, sold a top of $2000.
“I brought the cattle back to Gunnedah before Christmas to put some condition on them before they were sold,” Mr Clift said.
“The season at Quilpie was getting pretty desperate so some of them had never seen rain – they’ve just been living on Mulga.”
