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A STRONG contingent of Queensland backgrounders and bullock finishers, most chasing European Union-accredited cattle, helped push weaner prices to a top of $765 at Casino’s 33rd Weaner and Grower Steer sale last week.
The annual event offers the largest run of EU weaners in the State, with 2500 EU cattle in this year’s yarding. The 4970 head sold during the two days for a 100 per cent clearance grossed $2.73 million and averaged $546, slightly above the averages achieved at southern weaner sales this year and up on the Casino sale’s $523 average last year.
Buyers came from as far afield as Shepparton in Victoria, west to Coonamble and north to Roma, Queensland. The yarding was down almost 1000 head on last year’s sale, with floods forcing the sale of some cattle earlier and other producers hanging onto more given the better feed situation.
With 10-month-old steers weighing up to 300 kilograms, George and Fuhrmann agent, Darren Perkins, Casino, said the continually improving quality could be attributed to fine-tuned bull selection and good livestock management on the part of coastal producers.
Ron and Colleen Dean, “Clifton Pines”, Mallanganee, supplied the top-priced pen, Simmental/Hereford steers, which also picked up the trophy for top pen of European steers. The Deans sold 120 head for an average of $682.
For the first time, the Hereford Australia Society sponsored a sale outside its breed, putting up trophies for the top pen of Hereford-infused cattle on day two.
Jim and Jan Smith, Townview Pastoral Company, Urbenville, took out the steer trophy for a pen of Santa Gertrudis/Herefords which made $720 to Yulgilbar Station, Baryulgil, while their son, Jamie Smith, “Oakdale”, Urbenville, won the heifer trophy. The Society’s Adrian Spencer, Barraba, said the Casino sale was one of the best for high-quality crossbred cattle and his organisation wanted to highlight the value of the Hereford bloodline, particularly the Hereford cow, in such operations.
Alex and Ruth Lynch, “Kraglyn” at Piora, near Casino, sold eight bullocks for $925 to B.J. Partnership, Stratheden, while Leanne and Bernie Grogan, “Groombridge”, Tenterfield, sold 30 Santa/Hereford steers to a top of $660 and average of $638. Malcolm and Coral Reid, “Turners Flat”, Woodenbong, topped day one selling and collected the champion pen of Herefords with their EU steers, 10 months, average weight 300kg, which made $712 to Welsh Partnership, Deepwater. The Reids sold 75 head to an average $634.
Article by SHAN GOODWIN from The Land, April 3, 2008.
Colleen and Ron Dean "Clifton Pines" at Mallanganee, near Casino, with their Simmentel/Hereford 10-month-old steers, which made $765, and were named the Champion Simmentel-cross pen at the Casino sale last week.
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