Strong feedlot and restocker competition for a large run of quality young steers saw prices improve at Roma on Tuesday.
The 4263-head yarding was dominated by medium-weight yearling steers, and included an offload of 975 steers from former Pony Plains owner, Tony Dingle.
Crossbred Santa, Angus and Charbray cattle made up most of the run, weighing an average of 272kg.
The offering sold to a top of 324c/kg and $1108/head, to average 300c.
Mr Dingle said he was happy with the market on Tuesday, and it was evident people were a bit more optimistic now that there had been rain around.
"I was hoping that there was going to be a break in the season because it was fairly dry when I did auction, and there was so it worked out well," he said.
The cattle had been sourced from Alice Downs, Blackall, Consuelo Cattle Co, Rolleston, and Tenterfield weaner sales to be backgrounded for the feedlots prior to the sale of Pony Plains.
The Wandoan property was sold under the hammer in March for $13.3 million.
The 4004-hectare cattle property had an estimated carrying capacity of about 2000 adult equivalents and a significant income from gas, selling for about $3322/ha.
"I was a bit surprised with how the cattle looked and how they presented at the sale, but in saying that I know what Pony Plains is capable of producing," Mr Dingle said.
"The country is looking good now, but it was a very tough summer.
"We had good rain in October, but it's been dry ever since."
Will Loudon, GDL, Wandoan, said the steers were in good condition considering how dry the season has been.
"The market was definitely a lot stronger," he said.
"We haven't seen those prices for a couple of months at least, especially for the weight in the cattle too.
"In saying that, the cattle are in pretty good condition to buy.
"They're all frame and there's no gloss on them so I think there is still enough compensatory gain for people out of them, which is probably why they sold so well."
Weaner steers under 220kg topped at 316c/kg and averaged 299c/kg, and weaner steers in the 220 to 280kg range reached 324c/kg to average 299c/kg.
Steers weighing 280 to 350kg made 329c/kg and averaged 296c/kg, and steers in the 350 to 400kg range hit 329c/kg to average 297c/kg.
Feeder steers, 400 to 550kg, topped at 300c/kg and averaged 288c/kg.
Weaner heifers under 220kg topped at 256c/kg and averaged 205c/kg, while heifers in the 220 to 280kg range reached 256c/kg to average 225c/kg.
Heifers weighing 280 to 350kg made to 276c/kg and averaged 229c/kg. Heifers, 350 to 450kg, topped at 276c/kg and averaged 224c/kg.
Cows weighing 300 to 400kg reached 159c/kg and averaged 123c/kg, while cows in the 400kg to 500kg range reached 228c/kg and averaged 172c/kg. Cows over 500kg topped at 214c/kg, averaging 193c/kg.
