11,000 head under hammer

Roma agents were delighted to see prices "better than firm" on a yarding characterised by good runs of local cattle with plenty of weight and condition.

Asides from being the largest Roma yarding of the year, Landmark branch manager Paul Holm said a large crowd of buyers and spectators also turned out.

He said big sales were not uncommon after events such as Easter, as many family-run operations delayed cattle work until children returned home from school or university.

"We see it all the time - they wait for the kids to come home and then send them out on a bike," he said.

"It was great to see the prices hold so well today.

"It was firm and strong throughout the sale.

"All the processors, feedlots and usual backgrounders were there, as well as a lot of faces we don't regularly see."

Heifers sold particularly well, with those in the 350-450kg range reaching 230c/kg and averaging 203c, while heifers in the 280-350kg range topped at 234c and averaged 199c.

Heifers in the 220-280kg range topped 222c and averaged 201c, while heifers under 220kg topped at 230c and averaged 208c.

Karen and Keith Harrison were in the market for some weaner heifers after receiving 150mm at Euchlan, in the Begonia region, 100km north-west of St George, over the Easter weekend.

"We had received little bits of rain before that but were in a pocket that had missed out, so that rain was just wonderful," Mrs Harrison said.

"It filled all the dams and everything is looking better for winter."

The Harrisons purchased 74 Angus-cross weaner heifers at Tuesday's sale, paying from 212 to 217c.

"We're hoping they weighed 250kg," Mrs Harrison said.

"We were expecting to pay 180 to 220c/kg and they were very good quality, so we were happy to pay that."