Rosetta Pastoral Co, Collinsville, presented a run of No.0 Brahman steers averaging 303kg which reached 506c/kg to return $1440/head.

NORTHERN producers made use of the buoyant Central Queensland cattle market on Wednesday, when the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange Gracemere prime and store sale saw young steers reach almost 600c/kg.

Numbers again decreased due to rain, with 1147 head presented – 1603 less than last week. It was a good quality offering in good, forward condition. A larger than normal percentage of cattle came from Collinsville, Mackay, Proserpine and other northern districts. Restocker interest was limited due to the drop in numbers. Competition was good on all but the heavier cattle and particularly those to processors.

Julian Laver from Nutrien Ag Solutions, Rockhampton, said wet conditions reduced the local offering, meaning graziers in the northern part of CQLX’s catchment area had the buying panel mostly to themselves.

“The quality of the offering presented was very good, most of the light feeders were drawn from Collinsville, Nebo and Mackay sold to dearer prices than previous weeks,” Mr Laver said.

Among the northern draft was a line of 156 Brahman No.0 steers averaging 303kg from Rosetta Pastoral Co, Collinsville, which peaked at 506.2c/kg, and returned $1440 for vendor Gavin Scott and family.

Rosetta Pastoral also had a good result for its run of 255kg heifers that hit a high of 466c/kg for the top pen and averaged 462c/kg.

For lighter lines, the best of the male calves reached 599c/kg. A highlight in this category was a Droughtmaster offering averaging 255kg from Gravino Partners, Mackay, which reached 560c/kg, and returned $1432.

CW Wright, Mount Larcom, also sold Droughtmaster steers 212kg, reaching 560c/kg, to return $1700/head.

Steers in the 300-400kg category averaged 436c/kg and topped at 488c/kg. Highlights included Droughtmaster steers 322kg from Goovigen that sold for 472c/kg.

Yearling heifers less than 280kg reached a top of 475c/kg and averaged 461c/kg. Mackay vendor, Gravino Partners, had a good result in this category also, with its Droughtmaster line 255kg selling to 466.2c/kg.

For heavier lines, RM Pastoral, St Lawrence, sold Grey Brahman heifers 368kg to average 380c/kg, returning $1398.

Cows and calves were once again in strong demand, with a pen of Brangus from T Connolly, Hay Point reaching $2275/unit.

Looking ahead, Mr Laver was optimistic the recent rain would create a surge in confidence in the market.

“The market has been extremely good and the demand has been exceptional,” he said.

Weather permitting, Mr Laver believed yarding numbers next week will return to a usual size of around 2000-3000 head.

Source: RLX, NLRS