STRONG prices were the order of the day at the first Tamworth store cattle sale of 2021.
A yarding of 1000 head of cattle was offered at Friday's sale, which agents estimated was on average $100 to $200 a head more expensive than before Christmas.
A run of weaner steers from Walcha's Latham family topped the market at $1800, which was up from $1500 from the previous sale.
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Elders stock agent Nathan McConnell said the yarding while limited, was very impressive.
"The weaner market topped out at $1800 for some very-well bred Angus steers from the Latham family at Walcha," Mr McConnell said.
"There was also a run of heavy bullocks that reached $1930, which was a fair bit stronger than what we'd seen prior to Christmas.
"The weaner market was stronger again and you needed the best part of $1450 to $1600 to buy a pretty handy weaner."
As well as topping the weaner steer market, the Latham family also came out on top of the weaner heifer market, reaching $1730 of the 350 head on offer.
"I reckon they were a nice run of heifers that will go back to the paddock and be joined," Mr McConnell said.
"They will be retained as breeders going forward."
Mr McConnell said a run of Charolais-cross cows with calves topped at $3275.
"The cow and calf market was really solid all the way through and there wasn't a lot under $2500," he said.
"The majority of the cows were making in the vicinity of $2700 and $3200.
"There was about 40 or 50 pregnancy-tested cattle and the lead of them got out to about $2320 for some big heavy Angus cows."
McCulloch Agencies stock agent Mitchell Swain said the overall quality of the cattle was outstanding and "provided value for money for vendors".
"I honestly think the market has gone from strength to strength," Mr Swain said.
"Anybody who bought at this sale bought quality, there's no doubt about it.
"There were buyers from as far away as Dubbo and Queensland and while the prices continued to climb, there's no doubt they bought quality stock."
The sale was conducted by Tamworth Livestock Selling Agents Association.
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
