WIDESPREAD rain pushed prices higher at the Tamworth store sale on Friday, when cows and calves reached $3050 a head and weaners sold to a top of $1160.
The 1400-head yarding of good quality cattle came from Gloucester, Macleay River, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Quirindi, Walcha and Barraba.
There was strong bidding from western and northern restockers who were looking to finish cattle on forage crops at Narrabri, Moree and Inverell.
The market was at its highest for the year, with weaner steers $50 to $80 dearer than the previous store sale and weaner heifers between $20 and $40 dearer.
Breeders were in high demand, with cows and calves and PTIC females making $100 to $150 more than those at previous sales.
Light weaner steers weighed from 180 kilograms to 220kg and sold from $580 to $840 and medium weaner steers weighed between 230kg and 280kg and ranged from $800 to $960. Heavy weaner steers weighing from 290kg to 320kg made between $1000 and $1160 for steers from Joe and Marilyn O’Donnell, Piallaway.
Light weaner heifers weighed from 150kg to 200kg and ranged from $450 to $700, medium heifers weighing from 210kg to 270kg made between $700 and $820 and heavy heifers, weighing between 280kg and 320kg, sold from $820 to $1000.
PTIC females ranged from $1050 to $1700 a head for Angus cows from the Warne family, “Camara”, Hernani, near Ebor. Cows and calves sold from $1400 to $3050 for Hereford cows from Graham and Jean Crane, Loomberah.
Recent rain had a huge impact on prices, and the good returns could be here to stay, according to agent Ian Morgan, Ian Morgan Livestock, Quirindi.
“Supply of the good quality cattle is going to be very tight through winter and I expect to see these prices continue for another few months,” he said.
The strong prices were great news for Macleay River producer Neil Booth, “Clarence”, who sold 130 six-month-old middleweight Hereford and Angus weaners.
His steers topped at $925 and averaged $900 and heifers topped at $775 and averaged $700.
The high prices were good timing for Mr Booth, who always sells his weaners in early winter.
He hoped the prices would continue when he sells his remaining 170 weaners to sell through the Tamworth yards in the next few months.
“I like to wait until the farmers in the west have their oat crops ready for them. I’m really happy with our prices. Normally the tops of our steers are about $600 to $700 and now they’re making nearly $1000, and in the past we’ve sold heifers for $250 to $350 so we’re getting double.”
