PRICES surged across the board at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange Gracemere prime and store sale on Wednesday, where a Brangus heifer line peaked at 612c/kg and cows were up 28c/kg on the previous week.

Morgan Harris, TopX Gracemere, said the sale had a great turnout, with several lines of cattle significantly dearer in comparison to previous sales.

“Cattle quality and condition were superior this week, with various producers offloading their best lines of stock,” Mr Harris said.

“All processors operating in full swing pushing demand was to an extreme high.”

In total, combined agents yarded 2795 head, with a large draft from Mt Coolon, and the local area.

Topping the heifer section was a line of Brangus drawn from vendors, J and S Schnieder, Yamba, averaged 272kg and returned $1666/head.

Other highlights in the heifer category included a J Grant, Barmoya, Charbray offering which averaged 264kg making 590c/kg to return $1559/head.

The steer market included a solid run of Droughtmaster weaner steers averaging 217kg making 660c/kg or $1434/head.

SA Debois, Mt Ossa, sold Brangus weaner steers for 706c/kg, averaging 240kg to return $1678/head.

Dingo vendor, ES Bambling, made $1903/head for a pen of 353kg Santa cross steers achieving 538c/kg.

Busby Cattle Co, Goovigen, earned a good result for its 345kg Brahman Cross feeders at 536c/kg, or $1903/head.

The cow price topped at 385c/kg in both the 400kg to 500kg and 500kg to 600kg categories.

Highlights included a Retreat Grazing, Wycarbah, Droughtmaster run which hit 348c/kg and averaged 533kg to return $1856/head.

Macaulay, Garnant peaked at 349c/kg for a 570kg Droughtmaster pen achieving a return of $1992/head.

Brangus cross cows offered by DR and KA Geddes, Morinish, hit 354c/kg weighing 619kg to return $2194/head.

Looking ahead, Mr Harris is eager to see the confidence in the market continue to grow as we head into the warmer months.

“The outcome of this winter season here in Central Queensland has brought a positive outlook to the buying panel,” he said.