Cattle sale in Alice Springs nets $7m as market surges

Cattle producers in central Australia are reaping the rewards of a significant wet season and a strong market, with the Northern Territory's biggest cattle sale grossing more than $7 million.

More than 4,000 head of cattle went under the hammer at the Bohning Yards for the Alice Springs Show sale today, which grossed more than $7.3 million at an average of $1,827 a head.

The top price was for a pen of EU-certified organic Angus steers from Palmer Valley Station, 150 kilometres south of Alice Springs.

The pen of 72 steers fetched $6.02/kg, to average $2,576 each.

Palmer Valley's Sheri Fogarty said it was a pleasing result, with heavy rain in the region earlier this year providing excellent pastures.

"There's some good cattle in central Australia and we're really being rewarded," she said.

"We've had an amazing season. I haven't seen them any better than this. They're pretty special at the moment."

Livestock were sourced from various stations around central Australia and while interstate buyers attended, locals also made purchases with the intention of putting cattle back on to pasture.

Red Centre Rural director Steve Gaff said while there was a slight decrease in vendors this year, prices were strong, with the yards almost at capacity.

"I think to get over $6/kg here in the sale yards in Alice Springs is a magnificent result. That equates to $6.50/kg or better in the eastern states," he said.

Interstate buyers happy

South Australian pastoralist Douglas Lillecrapp bought a pen of Angus cross breed steers for $5.95/kg from Lucy Creek Station.

The cattle will be taken back to his property, Todmorden Station near Oodnadatta, which has also received good rain in recent months.

Mr Lillecrapp said it was a strong overall sale.

"The Lucy Creek line-up of cattle are very well-bred Angus type cattle," he said.

"I think that the vendors here should be very proud of the type of cattle that they breed in this part of the world."

Feeder steer prices bolt

The strong results at today's Alice Springs sale reflect the overall Australian cattle market, which is on the rise.

The national feeder steer indicator has bolted in the past few weeks, going beyond $5.50/kg, which is its highest point since early 2022 and now getting close to the record of $5.75/kg.

Recent rain and mild weather in parts of eastern Australia have boosted confidence, with restockers and feedlots competing on saleyard numbers that have noticeably tightened in the past fortnight.

At Roma on Tuesday, the local market report said demand for steers was "very solid".

Light restocker steers topped the Roma sale, fetching up to $6.12/kg, while yearling steers weighing 400 to 480 kilograms sold from $4.46/kg to $5.68/kg.

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