TROPICAL Cyclone Debbie might have been causing a flurry of activity in far north Queensland today but a bigger bidding storm took place at the Roma Store Sale with steer prices rewriting the record books.
As rain forecasts again cancel store sales this week there was strong demand for light weight weaner steers in Roma which saw prices soar.
Herb and Sue George, Glen Valley Pastoral Co, Jundah sold 39 EU accredited Santa steers to an average of 389c/kg at 312kg to return $1218/hd.
It was a pen of 22 of those steers which reached 440c/kg at 269kg to return $1186/hd.
They regularly sell to Roma Saleyards and after solid rain before Christmas were able to keep their cattle in good condition during a summer of patchy rainfall.
Landmark Roma selling agent Rod Turner said the market was dearer across the board with producers preparing for the rain reward from Tropical Cyclone Debbie this week.
“For those younger cattle the market was probably 10 to 15c dearer again today,” he said.
“The feeder type steers were up to 20c dearer while heavy feeders went up another 10c on last week. The feeder heifers were out to 330c so 20c better than last week and background heifers were at $4 and 30c better than last week.
“Sizzle always sells better than the sausage and if they think (the rain) is coming it’s more powerful than when it comes.”
He said Moree buyers were in attendance again and had orders but the market was too dear.
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
