LIGHT weaner steers and heifers were in hot demand at the annual Inverell weaner feature sale on Thursday.
The yarding of just shy of 2000 cattle attracted a large crowd of restockers and lot feeders, which saw several pens of younger steers reach more than 700 cents a kilogram.
Among the four pens of top-performing steers were three runs of Hereford, Charolais and Simmental-cross steers out of Yonga Pty Ltd, Deepwater, which reached 704c/kg, 735c/kg and a sale high 740c/kg respectively.
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The other two runs of well performing steers were two pens of 188kg and 154kg average weight Angus calves from the Hart Family, Bundurra, which sold to local Northern Tablelands operators the Trow Family through Newberry te Velde Carige Agencies for 710c/kg.
Prices for steers ranged from 317c/kg to 740c/kg, while heifers sold for between 175c/kg and 740c/kg, with lighter cattle bringing higher prices due to the high demand from restockers.
The Hart family capped off a successful sale by topping the weaner heifer market with a run of 21 Angus heifers which averaged 181kg selling for 740c/kg.
Elders stock agent Justin Oakenfull, Inverell, said prices at Thursday's sale were stronger than at recent sales.
"There was a lot of cattle here today [Thursday] under 250kg, which is something we probably haven't seen at the past few sales here at Inverell and quite a lot of those light calves sold to extreme prices," Mr Oakenfull said.
"This was certainly stronger than what we have seen here lately and cents per kilo-wise it is a lot stronger.
"In saying that, it firmed on already firm markets right across the board."
Mr Oakenfull said he expected the strong prices to continue at Inverell's next store sale in May.
"At the moment, there is plenty of grass around here and that is really attracting restockers to the market," he said.
"It's quite obvious given most of the cattle sold here today stayed local, while a few went across the border to Goondiwindi, that light and young cattle are in demand with local restockers."
Despite weaner steers and heifers making up the majority of Thursday's yarding, there was still nine pregnancy-tested-in-calf cows offered, which topped at $2020 a head.
Meanwhile, 23 cows with calves were up for bids, with a run of 13 Brahman cows with calves from Baymak Pastoral Company, Bingara, reaching a high of $2375 a unit.
The sale was conducted by Inverell Stock and Station 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.
