March 27, 2020
Livestock auctions are able to continue, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud confirmed on Friday.
“These are an essential part of the broader agriculture supply chain,” Minister Littleproud said.
“They are different to real estate auctions because of their importance to the nation.
“The government is working tirelessly to safeguard the supply chain from the farm to the market.
“In particular, interruptions to livestock saleyards could impact adversely on the availability and price of meat.
“Like the rest of Australia, livestock saleyards and wool auctions will need to comply with strict social distancing and hygiene practices.
“This includes no more than one person per four square metres at indoor auctions and any other particular requirements of your jurisdiction.
“Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching your face and if sick, stay home.
“I thank the National Auction Selling Committee and the individual saleyards that have already taken steps to implement social distancing protocols.
“And I ask those involved to please consider if their livestock saleyards and wool auctions can be held online, remotely, deferred or be cancelled to do so.
“Agriculture and food security are critical to Australia at the best of times. They are even more so during this the COVID-19 crisis.”
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A total of 1143 head of cattle were yarded at Murgon’s fortnightly Prime & Store Sale on Tuesday (March 24).
Pratt Agencies reported the market for all descriptions remained fully firm.
Cattle were drawn from Mundubbera, Gayndah, Mt Perry, Nanango, Yarraman, Kingaroy, Kilkivan and Murgon.
Sale results:
- Bulls sold to $3.08/kg and $2558
- Bullocks sold to $3.45/kg and $1846
- Heavy Cows over 500kg topped at $2.84/kg and $1574, averaging $2.60/kg
- Cows 400-500kg also sold to $2.81/kg for a $2.59 average
- Lighter Cows under 400kg topped at $2.44
- Export heifers sold to $3.18/kg and $1600
- Charbray and Droughtmaster steers from Manumbar sold to $3.53/kg for $1448
- 406kg Braford steers from Redgate sold to $1430 at $3.52/kg
- Santa cross steers from Manumbar with a weight of 400kg sold to $1376 and $3.44/kg
- Local Charbray steers weighing 355kg sold for $1260 and $3.55/kg
- 389kg Charbray steers from Gayndah sold for $3.54/kg, returning $1378
- Charbray steers from Cloyna weighing 350kg sold for $3.47/kg and $1218
- Limousin cross weaner steers from Hivesville sold for $3.70/kg to return $1005
- Charbray weaner steers from Gayndah also sold to $3.70/kg and $972
- Light Simmental steers sold to $3.80/kg for $562
- Angus cross heifers from Hivesville topped at $3.39/kg and $1577
- Local 406kg Brahman heifers sold to $3.38/kg to return $1373
- 359kg Droughtmaster cross heifers from Wondai sold for $1180 at $3.28/kg
- 378kg Charbray heifers from Goomeri sold to $1226 at $3.24/kg
- Two pens of quality Brangus weaners from Gayndah sold for $893 and $967 at $3.43/kg and $3.41/kg, respectively
- Local Brahman cross weaner heifers sold for $758 and $3.42/kg
- Brangus weaner heifers from Biloela sold to $801 at $3.41/kg
- Cows & calves sold to $1200
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A Special Store Sale of weaners, cows and calves will be held at the Coolabunia Saleyards on April 2 from 9:00am.
The next Murgon Liveweight and Fat Store sale is on Tuesday, April 7, from 8:00 am.
The Coolabunia Fat and Store sale in on the same day from noon.
