Heifers share top price honours on first day of Big Country Sale

Flooding through large tracts of North Queensland over the weekend led to a rejigging of the Big Country Bull and Female Sale schedule at the Dalrymple Saleyards in Charters Towers on Monday, January 3, as the heifer portion of the offering had the afternoon to themselves.

In all, 94 heifers were offered and 71 sold for a 76 per cent clearance rate, an average of $4859 per head, and a gross of $345,000 while bidding reached a peak of $20,000 twice.

Lot 155 hit the $20,000 mark first when James and Cassandra Kent, Kent Beef, Goovigen, sold the unjoined 14-month old red Kent Beef Victoria (IVF) (PS), by Kariboe Valley Ventura 1161/0 (PP), out of NCC Worth 101R (ET) (PS) to the Scott family, Rosetta Pastoral, Collinsville.

Later in the sale, the Scotts also made the $20,000 winning bid on lot 213, the unjoined 25-month-old grey Lawihnsa Park Lady Ella 016 (IVF) by Nicneil Sugar Daddy (IVF) out of NCC Lady Ella 4624 (IVF), offered by Mark and Pam Prichard, Lawihnsa Park, Ravenswood.

Halganaes stud principal Peter Tuxworth enjoyed a successful day with his two heifers selling to an average of $13,000 for a top of $16,000.

Volume vendors for the day were Brian and Cindy Hughes, Lanes Creek stud, Georgetown who sold 16 heifers at an average of $3719.

Jason and Rachel Leitch, JRL stud, Springsure, sold 14 heifers to average $3571, and Shirley Jordan, Kimora stud, Capella, sold seven heifers to average $3071, while Gavin Webber and Callan Solari, Triple E stud, Prairie, sold seven heifers to average $4124.

Queensland Rural sale agent Shaun Flanagan said considering the conditions the sale result was satisfactory.

"From what we saw today, the gap between the lead and the tail will continue to widen. Well-presented and settled heifers sold exceptionally well," Mr Flanagan said.

The sale action will continue when the results of the inaugural Big Country Online Genetics Sale are finalised, while the red and grey bulls will have their time in the ring from Tuesday morning.

In 2024, 115 females sold to average $5872 for a 91 per cent clearance and high of $37,500.

• A full report will appear in the February 13 editions of the North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.