There was a large crowd at Grafton's select female cattle sale on Saturday where heifers in calf sold to a top of $1875 and averaged $1092 with all of them going back to the paddock between the Tweed and Macleay valleys.
Cows with calves averaged $1059 and topped at $1300 for first cross Brahman/ Hereford, EU accredited, produced by Mick Moorhead, Baryulgil Pastoral. He also sold Hereford cows with Stannum and Amos Vale blood in calf to a Jomanda Brahman bull for $1100 going to Micah Middelbosch, Nymboida.
The top pen of heifers came from the Fahey family, "Nettle Creek" above Copmahurst, who sold Brahman/ Angus back in calf to an Angus bull for $1875 and going to repeat buyers the McCarthy family, Glenreagh, through their livestock manager Alan Sinclair, who waved down 36 head.
"These cattle have done an excellent job for us before," Mr Sinclair said.
Basil Moran, Brushgrove Island, sold Simmental heifers to a Simmental bull for $1800 going to a repeat buyer from Casino. Mr Moran has been breeding Simmental cattle since the breed first entered Australia in 1971.
Craig Pigg, Ulmarra, sold first cross Angus/ Brahman heifers with Bizzy and Jomanda blood on the cow side, selling for $1800 to Hugh and Bev Lloyd.
B and C Pastoral sold first cross Shorthorn/ Brahman heifers in calf to an Angus bull for $1625 to Luke Bruce, Tucabia, while the Love family, Crystal Creek via Murwillumbah - which has yet to feel drought - paid up to $1500 for the same cross.
Fiona Leviny, "Turtle Creek Bloodlines", sold Brangus heifers in calf to Brangus and Angus bulls to $1275 with most going to Mike and Rosie Gane, Seelands, who have a river flat paddock that has been locked up since August.
There is still plenty of grass on Mark Austen's Lawrence property, with bales of feed begging for mouths. He bought 50 head, some in calf others unjoined, paying to $1000 for Angus in calf to the same from Bronc Riley, Springwood Grazing at Ulmarra.
Mr Riley also sold to volume buyers Shamil Livestock at Macksville, with property at Urunga and Dorrigo. Shamil paid to a top of $1425 for Angus in calf to the same from Franklin Angus, Upper Orara.
Russell and Cheryl Connor, Cowper, sold Angus heifers in calf to Booroomooka Angus to a top of $1500 going to John Stokes, Ulmarra.
