FEMALES were in high demand at the Tamworth store cattle sale last Friday, when yearling heifers reached $1420 a head and cows and calves topped at $2750.
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The 3400-head yarding included 1174 steers, 1225 heifers, 770 cows and calves, 245 PTIC females and 19 bulls.
Landmark Tamworth agent Scott Simshauser said the market reflected quality, with steers $30 to $40 cheaper than the previous sale, and stronger prices for females.
“We had very good quality lines of heifers and cows and calves,” Mr Simshauser said.
“Heifers and PTIC cows were firm and the cows with calves were firm to slightly dearer.
“Both steer quality and the cow quality was down on the last sale.”
Lightweight weaner steers weighed from 160 kilograms to 230kg and sold from $700 to $980 and middleweight steers ranged from 240kg to 260kg and made between $900 and $1150.
Heavier weaner steers weighing more than 270kg and yearling steers ranged from $1050 to $1270.
Lightweight weaner heifers sold from $780 to $1050, middleweight heifers ranged from $980 to $1225, heavier weaners topped at $1050 and yearling heifers hit $1420 for heifers from Rob Haling, “Reedy Creek”, Loomberah.
“That premium for heifers over steers was related to the quality, and most of them looked like they were going back into breeding herds,” Mr Simshauser said.
Older cows and calves sold from $1500 to $1750, three- to five-year-old cattle of mixed condition and quality made between $1600 and $2100 and good quality younger cows ranged from $2000 to $2750 for Angus cows with one- to two-month-old calves from Graham and Leonie Clarke, Boggabri.
PTIC cows sold from $1000 to $1620.
“The biggest demand was for the younger breeders,” Mr Simshauser said.
“Restockers have made it clear they’re in it for the long haul and they want quality cattle.”
Demand came from restockers in Queensland, Narrabri, the Hunter Valley and the Southern Tablelands.
“There was a little bit of feedlot activity on yearling steers and heifers but generally it was restockers looking to rebuild herds,” Mr Simshauser said.
He expected the market to remain strong for good quality cattle.
“Quality and type will be in strong demand – vendors won’t just get away with condition alone.”
