Sale brings almost 200 to Sarina

THE sight of a four-year-old on the back of a cow is a familiar one on Jodie Borg's Ilbilbie cane farm.

Since establishing a hobby farm on their property two years ago, her daughter Charlee Borg can often be seen riding her brown heifer, Chi-Chi.

A bull, some chickens and a small patch of vegetables can be found along with Chi-Chi on the Borg's farm.

But, Ms Borg said, the most important things to bloom on their land were the lessons for her daughters.

"We've done it to teach the girls where their meat comes from," she said. "It's not from the supermarket. It's not from a packet."

At the Sarina Cattle Sale yesterday, that lesson was apparent, as 950 cattle were auctioned to regional graziers.

About 200 farmers jostled for space outside the cattle pens as Landmark auctioneers rattled off bids.

While most farmers described the prices as "reasonable", many said there were some disappointing steer sales.

Koumala farmer Kevin Malone said some of the young steers were being sold for $440 a head, making them worth a little over $2 a kilo.

For Donnybrook farmer Doug Robke, the low prices were due to the season.

"The younger steers coming into winter means people will have to hold onto them for a while," he said.

Carmila farmer Beryl German said the poor growing conditions last year had resulted in smaller calves at the cattle sale.

"The mothers don't make as much milk. That means the progeny doesn't bloom like they should."

"It was so dry last year. That's when they would have bloomed."

"It all impacts the end product," Ms German said.

However, Septimusfarmer Dennis Werner said yesterday's sale prices were a return to normal.

"We were spoilt by the good price a couple years ago," he said, noting a six-month-old steer back then could raise a few thousand dollars at auction.

"That's when prices were through the roof".