Stockman’s Hall of Fame 25th AnniversaryIT was great to hear from Rosemary Champion, Chair of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Rosemary advised me of the Anniversary Ball, the final event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame on April 29, 1988. As Rosemary said, “It has been a fabulous year. It might be a circuit breaker for the drought, please God!”The gala event commences on October 12 with a 5pm unveiling of Bodo Muche’s “Bronze Kelpie”, a tribute to the sheep and wool industry, followed by 6pm drinks and canapes with “The Ringer” followed by a 7.30pm dinner under the marquee with entertainment and auction. It is a black tie event with tickets selling for $125. Contact the Australian Hall of Fame (07) 4658 2166 at Outback Pics Gallery and Café.

Stock Up for Hope Charity Drove a great successTHE Stock Up for Hope Charity Drove is over for another two years, but the legacy will resonate in the lives of young people for years by way of better resourced SU chaplains in our bush schools. As I’ve reported, the event was a resounding success bringing together corporate Australia. But someone still had to buy the mob and cart them. In the end, Australian Country Choice bought the mob for a better than market price, Gordon Martin from Martins Transport carted them for nothing, ensuring a solid return for Queensland chaplaincy services. Thanks also to the following producers who donated cattle for the cause: M&D Walker, Longreach, M&S Brownlie, Longreach, M&J Thomas, Ilfracombe, H&S Glasson/Parkinson, Blackall, P&R Walker, Blackall, J&T Morton, Aramac, T&R Wagner, Taroom (Roma), C&J McIntyre, Bauhinia (Emerald), C&N Back, Muttaburra, R&R Nobbs, Moura.

Welcome rain dampened by soaring A$MEAT and Livestock Australia reported while the past week saw many regions across south eastern Australia receive much need rain, it also saw the A$ kick to its highest level in many months, trading over 95US¢. In a case of good news, bad news, the impact of the rain was reflected in dearer livestock markets this week, while the higher A$ will slowly erode the competitive position of Australian red meat in the global market – especially if recent gains are sustained.The widespread rain ranged from southern Queensland to Victoria, with the heaviest and most welcome falls received through north-ern and central NSW, while southern WA also registered handy falls. With spring across the eastern states commencing warmer than usual, the wet weather over the past week will go some way to rejuvenating parched pastures and crops. However, given the extent of the dry conditions through winter, accentuated by the hot conditions, good fol-low up rain will be crucial to ensure adequate

feed supplies heading into summer.Unfortunately, very little rain fell across the drought declared regions of Queensland, which now covers around 60pc of the state. Early next week will see the BOM release its three month rainfall outlook, which should shed some light upon the prospects for the early months of the 2013-14 wet season.Most southern livestock markets reflected the much needed rain this week, with the EYCI increasing 16.5c over the past week, finishing Thursday at 319.75c/kg cwt, while nationally, cows jumped 6c, to average 251c cwt. The lamb market was up across all categories, especially for light lambs which kicked 33c, to average 381c cwt.

Goodbye Ross GarrySADLY, our old mate Ross Garry, Oxley, passed away last week after a courageous battle following a bout of motor neurone disease. Ross was for years a Dalby resident and also publican at the Royal Hotel, Allora. He is survived by his wife Rhonda, and was father and father-in-law of Trica and Rodney and David and Anita and their extended families.Ross was a leading light at Sherwood Services Club and Sherwood, Indooroopilly RSL Club. His funeral took place yesterday Wednesday September 25 at Centenary Crematorium. Even though Ross was a private in his army reserve years, as his good mate and President of Sherwood RSL Kevin Alcock said his Eulogy was fittingly delivered by an ex-Brigadier.

Kitty Kinivan joins Gilt Investments P/LKITTY Kinivan has worked in the financial markets for over 20 years, including for Westpac Banking Corporation, Queensland Industry Development Corporation (QIDC), Suncorp Metway Ltd, and Landmark. Her roles have involved assisting client’s source investment products (e.g. term deposits, bank bills, promissory notes and government bonds), and providing interest rate and foreign exchange risk management advice to commercial and agribusiness clients. She is highly regarded for her service ethic and ability to develop strong client relationships.In 2013 Kitty joined Gilts to strengthen exposure to the fixed income market for Gilts’ client base.Kitty is currently accredited with the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA).I met up with Kitty and her new boss Alastair Healy at last Friday’s Rural Press Club luncheon.

Roma store saleA TOTAL of 5100 head of cattle was penned at Roma’s store sale on Tuesday. Good numbers of feedlot and restocker buyers were present for the mixed quality yarding. Some southern restocker buyers from New South Wales attended this week’s sale looking for cattle. In some early sales, K&R Burey, Yarara, sold 345kg Santa cross steers to return 179c/$619. Jack Krienke, Moss View Lodge,

Roma, sold 528kg Santa-cross steers to make 178c/$941. J&B Amor, Carinya, Dulacca, sold 303kg Braford steers to make 175c/$531. C&M Russell, Augathella, sold 278kg Santa steers to return 175c/$487. Mountain Cottage Pastoral Co, Mountain Cottage, Roma, sold 220kg Angus steers to return 171c/$376. C&S Nason, Banoona, Roma, sold 308kg composite steers to return 164c/$506.

Rural Press Club luncheonWHILE on the subject of the RPC luncheon, it was great to enjoy the guest speakers and atmosphere as guest of Landmark Harcourt last Friday. At their table guests included Ian Walker MP, Russell Pearson, Jim McIntosh, Danny Bukereski, Mike Ratz, Brian Taaffe and host Lex Heninemann.

AuctionsPlusCOL Campbell, Landmark AuctionsPlus coordinator, reported that a major part of Eastern NSW received 25mm-50mm of rain. It certainly put some confidence back into the market judging by the increase in the number of restockers logging into sales with fingers on the button eager to secure lines of Merino ewes.All the sheep in Queensland were drawn from Julia Creek, Winton and Longreach, with Merino ewe hoggets making $42 and lines of Dohne Merino cross ewes selling to $64. Sheep and lamb numbers increased to see 42,105 offered and 4,313 cattle also offered for the week.

On the cattle side of things the Queensland offerings were drawn from Isisford, Tambo, Theodore, Thallon, Goondiwindi and Texas. Trent McKinlay of Landmark Blackall sold a quality run of 204 PTIC store condition Charbray/Angus-cross 365kg heifers on behalf of Consolidated Pastoral Co, Isis Downs, Isisford/Blackall, for $400. Brad Hall, Landmark Rockhampton, received 171c/$370 for 216kg Santa-cross store condition weaner steers and 168c/kg for Charolais-cross weaner steers for Richard and Sarah Cox, Cracow Station Cracow/Theodore. Anthony Hyland, Landmark St George, sold 125 Santa weaner steers for Southern Families from Redbank and Waverley Weengallon/Thallon, weighing 223kg also selling to a very good rate of $380-170c/kg on property.

Laidley saleDAVID Stariha reported 449 head were yarded at Alex Stariha’s Laidley cattle sale on Thursday. On the back of a few storms the market was stronger for all types, with plainer cattle and weaners in higher demand.Terry Wise, Victoria Point, sold milk tooth steers for $895 and six month old heifers to make $530.Tony Stariha, Mulgowie, sold pasture steers to return $850. Richard Smith, Withcott, sold four tooth Murray Grey steers to make $830. Brian Fitzgerald, Gatton, sold nine month old Charolais steer to make $690. Bernie Jackwitz, Grandchester, sold milk tooth Charolais steers to return $600. Martine Scanlan, Woodlands, sold Droughtmaster store steers, seven months, returning $455.

Dalby saleRYAN Dellit reported this week Graham Henderson and Co yarded cattle drawn from Wandoan, Moonie, Surat, Durong, The Gums and the local area. A large reduction in numbers this week at Dalby resulted in a combined total yarding of 2614 head. In the export grades a full panel of processors were present and operating. Heavy steers and bullocks showed good improvements with average prices 5-12c/kg dearer. Cows followed a similar path with medium and heavyweight grades to processors gaining 10-16c/kg. Heavyweight trade descriptions gained ground with prices 6-9c/kg dearer. Medium weight steers to feed improved with average prices 8c/kg better. In the 2nd round good quality store cattle improved in price with lightweight yearling heifers showing the big-gest gains of up to 10c/kg. Plain conditioned store cattle hovered around the previous weeks levels.Highlights: Owen and Denis Kummerow, Haran, The Gums, sold Murray Grey-cross steers to return 184c/$1249 and Santa cross steers to 183c/$1233. The Brown family, Glenalan, Moonie, sold Charolais-cross heifers to reach 170c/$910 and Murray Grey-cross steers to make 180c/$991.

www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au 26 September 2013 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE 111

■ BELOW: Territory sales manager Allan Leech, from Elders, Dalby, said polished cattle off oats were being sought after at Wednesday’s Dalby cattle sale, where agents yarded 4694 head.

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