SEASONAL conditions were no handicap to the quality presentation of the 2000 head of steers and heifers yarded for the Armidale Powerhouse Weaner sale last Friday, (April 20).
And while prime cattle markets had waned during the week, the weaners met values of at least a fortnight before this week’s slip with steers making to 318 cents a kilogram for the best of the Angus and heifers to 264c/kg.
The sale, conducted by Davidson Cameron and Company was supported by associates from Southern and Central Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands, Hunter Valley and Gunnedah regions.
Angus calves found premiums over other breeds of between 15c/kg to 25c/kg with the heaviest Angus steers returning $1129 a head while a pen of Charolais steers weighing 378kg tallied $1077 each.
A highlight was in the heifer section where some were selling better than their brothers.
Restockers from most regions were keen on replenishing breeding stocks from this sale which tended to put pressure on competition.
Davidson Cameron and Company Armidale agent, Craig Waters, said it was a powerful sale.
“It was a really solid market, especially the heifers,” he said.
“The bit of Queensland influence certainly helped the market, but we were strongly supported from throughout the tablelands, coast and south.”
Mr Waters said the “great” lines of black baldy heifer calves were an attraction for Queenslanders and Northern Rivers restockers.
“An inch of rain last night in places also helped the sale,” he said.
Mawarra Pastoral Company, “Mawarra”, Guyra, gained 304c/kg for a pen of 15 Angus EU accredited steers weighing an average 351kg.
Young Pastoral Company, “Glen Gowrie Park”, Tingha, sold 15 Angus steers weighing an average 209kg at 311c/kg.
I.G Vickery and Company, “Canoona”, Guyra, sold 41 Charolais steers of 378kg average weight at 285c/kg a head.
Kelly Cattle Company, “Claremont Downs”, Dorrigo, gained 278c/kg for 22 Angus steers weighing an average 269kg, and Yoolimba Pastoral Company, “Yoolimba”, Wandsworth, sold 10 Hereford steers weighing an average 311kg at 285c/kg.
The Elsley family gained 312c/kg for 32 Angus steers weighing an average 274kg and later gained 244c/kg for their 18 Angus heifers weighing an average 310kg.
