FEEDER cattle sold firm on the market at the last Nebo prime and store sale, with cross bred steers seeing prices reach up to 10c/kg higher including one pen of steers selling for 304c/kg.
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The day's top sale went to Australian Brahman Breeders Association senior vice president Matthew Noakes, Marlborough, who snapped up the pen of Brahman steers from Suttor Creek Pastoral, Glenden.
Brian Dawson Auction livestock agent Joel Dawson, who sold the pen, said the feeder Brahman steers sold to a good market with the crossbred steers 5-10c/kg higher.
He had hoped to see crossbred steers to go for the 300c/kg mark and Brahman steers to average between 270-280c/kg.
"The best money at the moment is [315c/kg] delivered down south, but we got just over [300c/kg] here, so no freight is coming into consideration," he said.
Steers up to 250kg went for 102.2-248.9c/kg for an average of 207.9c/kg, 250-320kg went for 170-280.2c/kg for an average of 247.3c/kg, 320-400kg went for 170-290.2c/kg for an average of 256.2c/kg, 400-500kg went for 200-304c/kg for an average of 280.4c/kg and over 500kg went for an average of 270.2c/kg.
Heifers up to 250kg went for 80-172c/kg for an average of 142.2c/kg, 250-300kg went for 120.2-220.2c/kg for an average of 177.2c/kg, 300-400kg went for 110.2-274.2c/kg for an average of 225.1c/kg and 400-450kg went for 238.2-270.2c/kg for an average of 254.2c/kg.
Cows up to 400kg went for 102.2-200c/kg for an average of 143.4c/kg, 400-520kg went for 126.2-180c/kg for an average of 172.4c/kg and over 520kg went for 176.2-186.2c/kg for an average of 180.3c/kg.
Bulls under 450kg went for 122.2-218.2c/kg for an average of 149c/kg.
Mr Dawson was happy with the day's result, particularly on the back of feedlots being inundated with cattle with an influx of cattle heading to the meat works.
"[There is a] backlog of feedlot cattle at the moment; it's hard to get in anywhere at all. A lot of the feedlots are full at the moment...and they've been putting them back for kill dates," Mr Dawson said.
Suttor Creek Pastoral had 432 head in their line-up including cross bred and Brahman 400-plus kg steers.
The steers topped at 304c/kg with an average 467kg to return $1420 and the Brahman steers topped at 272c/kg, weighing 466kg to return $1270.
"The weight of the cattle is good here today," he said.
The heifers started at 250-270c/kg, showing a hike in what has been a tough market for heifer prices in 2024.
"That's really good money for heifers at the moment. It's more of a good line up of cattle too - they always draw a little bit extra competition," Mr Dawson said.
"The feeder heifer run here sold dearer than most places with good lines of cattle and competition being here."
However on the lighter end of the cattle, the prices were back on the market by up to 20c/kg.
"The market is probably back a bit on the lighter cattle, but overall with the feeder job we've had a really great result," Mr Dawson said.
There was a total yarding of 1530 head comprising of 820 steers, 635 heifers, 71 cows and four bulls.
"Some people are just in a position where they need to sell their cattle," Mr Dawson said.
"Having this market so close to local takes the freight out of it for them but in the end they still have to get the results."
Hayes & Co manager and auctioneer Peter Hayes said the feeder prices were influenced by higher than usual buyer attendance, as well as the quality of the yarding.
"[The feeders] made around and above the current market and the market is going down," Mr Hayes said.
Mr Hayes said the pens from Strathdee Cattle Company, Nebo, and Suttor Creek Cattle Company, Glenden, were among the stand-outs.
"[They sold well due] to their quality," he said.
Other highlights from the sale included 450 Santa, Charbray, Brangus and Brahman cross heifers which sold for a top of 274.2c/kg, weighing 399kg to return $1096.
The whole draft averaged 231.3c/kg, weighing 346 kg to average $801.97/head.
Hauwert Pty Ltd, Sarina Range sold a run of Droughtmaster feeder steers selling to a top of 300c/kg to return $1260
C Bartley, Koumala sold Brangus prime cows for 180c/kg to return $927.
Stan Fordham, Collinsville offered Braford steers for 288.2c/kg, weighing 358.8 and making 1033.92/head.
JW & WJ Grant, Collinsville sold a line of Braford heifers which topped at 232.2c/kg, averaging 975kg to return $975/head.
A weaner sale will be held in Sarina on June 28.
