Bulk buyers benefit from February All Breeds Sale's 'buyer's market'
This year's February All Breeds Sale reflected a 'buyers market', which favoured several volume buyers across northern and central Queensland.
In all, 290 bulls sold over two days clearing 65 per cent of the catalogue to set an average $6407 and 37 heifers averaged $4095 in a 65 per cent clearance at auction culminating in a $2.M gross and a clearance rate of 65 per cent across the board.
The MacNicol family of MacNicol Pastoral Holdings emerged as one of the top volume bull buyers across the two-day sale.
The commercial beef enterprise secured 10 Charbray bulls for $52,000 at an average price of $5200.
Based at Tartrus, near Marlborough, owner Andrew MacNicol told the Queensland Country Life that the family's breeding and fattening operation has been a long-time participant in the sale.
"We usually come to the [February] All Breeds Sale because there's always a good line of bulls here. There are different genetics, which we're always looking at," Mr MacNicol said.
This year's market provided favourable conditions for bulk buyers like the MacNicol family.
"It was a buyer's market on these bulls for us, so that's why we opted to take what we did," he said.
Their focus was on Charbrays and Droughtmasters, with the family particularly pleased with their success on the first day of selling, which led to no purchases on the second day.
MacNicol Pastoral Holdings focuses on feeding cattle for feedlots, particularly seeking animals with lower Brahman content and early maturing characteristics.
The family has had a successful run with Charbrays over the past six to eight years and intends to continue using them for the foreseeable future.
"We've been coming to this sale for a long time, and every couple of years, we usually buy at least six or eight bulls," Mr MacNicol said.
"These bulls are headed to our breeding and fattening property, Tartrus, located west of Marlborough. It's also where we fatten our steers before sending them to the feedlot at Baumount."
The bulls purchased will be used to join with the family's older Brahman-cross cows, contributing to a herd that feeds cattle to around 420-430 kilograms before they enter the feedlot for a 100-day grain-feeding period.
The family typically achieves a dressed weight of 360-380 kg per bullock, with all animals processed locally in Rockhampton.
Mr MacNicol shared that while market conditions could fluctuate, recent rains had boosted the market.
"If the (cattle market) stays consistent, it will make it a lot easier for everyone," he said.
"Like every year, it's up and down and varies. It's just trying to catch it at the right time."
MacNicol Pastoral Holdings comprises several properties, with 4500 head of cattle currently at Tartrus and additional properties in Bauhinia and the Burdekin for dry cattle and breeding.
Andrew's son, Gordon, manages the Tartrus property, and while Andrew acknowledged the price of bulls may not have been ideal for vendors, he expressed satisfaction with the purchase.
"I don't think the vendors would be happy with the money, but we certainly are," Mr MacNicol said.
The recent bull purchases were expected to join the breeder herd from December to March, possibly introducing a few more later in the season.
"The season at home is fair," Mr MacNicol said.
"The recent rains have got us going again, but we need water. Water is our biggest issue at the moment."
Other bulk buyers secured a bargain at this year's sale.
Collinsville's Comerford Brothers, Exmoor Station, Turtwulua Station, west of Nebo, picked up 10 bulls for $47,000 at an average price of $4700.
Malverin Developments Balnagowan, Tungamulla, purchased eight bulls, while Robert De Gunst, Bundaberg, secured six bulls.
Several operations each purchased five bulls, including Neill Ballantine Operations, Galloway Plains, Calliope, AA and KJ Finger, Mt Coolon Pastoral, Mount Coolon, Mackland Grazing, TA Batchelor, New Hidden Valley, Mount Coolon, Coolmaringa Pty Ltd, Dingo, and Ashton Trading, Mt Coolon.
