LIGHT steers reached a top of 500 cents per kilogram at the Armitage and Buckley weaner and breeder sale at Armidale last Friday, but the heifers were just as strong, hitting 420c/kg.
Armitage and Buckley agent Victor Moar said while steers were firm, the heifer market was up to 60c/kg dearer than other regional weaner sales, with strong support from restockers and backgrounders from the New England, Tamworth and Gunnedah, as well as lotfeeders at Inverell and in southern Queensland.
The 3200-head yarding of good quality cattle included a large line of about 1100 Shorthorn-cross and Angus-cross steers from Warren Coventry, “Lynoch”, Armidale.
Lightweight weaner steers weighed from 160kg to 220kg and sold from 400c/kg to 500c/kg, those weighing between 230kg and 280kg ranged from 420c/kg to 460c/kg and heavy steers weighed between 290kg to 390kg and sold from 290c/kg to 410c/kg.
Mr Coventry’s Angus-cross steers reached a top of 420c/kg and the Yamburgan blood Shorthorn-cross steers made up to 410c/kg.
Light heifers sold from 380c/kg to 420c/kg, middlweight heifers made between 340c/kg to 410c/kg and heavy weaner heifers ranged from 320c/kg to 350c/kg.
Mr Moar put the strength of the market down to the large lines of good quality weaners on offer and recent rain.
Steve, Leanne and David Collins, "Brooksby", Armidale, sold 201 weaners. The 110 Angus calves topped at 390c/kg, returning $1517, and Herefords reached 392c/kg for a return of $1262.
Ruth Schwager
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
Ruth Schwager is a journalist with the national agricultural features team.
