![Brad Mulvihill, Savage, Barker and Backhouse, Rockhampton, at the washed-out CQLX Gracemere cattle sale on January 18. Picture: SHARON HOWARD. Brad Mulvihill, Savage, Barker and Backhouse, Rockhampton, at the washed-out CQLX Gracemere cattle sale on January 18. Picture: SHARON HOWARD.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2009926.jpg/r0_0_600_400_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
DESPITE the devastating livestock and infrastructure losses many people have suffered during the past week due to flooding and wild weather, many within the cattle industry are looking ahead positively.
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CQLX Gracemere agents president Brad Mulvihill, Savage Barker and Backhouse, Rockhampton, said the biggest local rainfall he had heard of was 837mm between Rockhampton and Bajool until Sunday afternoon.
"We're in two minds about whether we will have a sale this Friday," Mr Mulvihill said.
"There are 500 head at the saleyard already, which have been on feed.
"I think there will be a big demand for cattle in the coming weeks."
Mr Mulvihill said although people were still nervous about what the weather holds in the following weeks, rain always brought confidence.
"You don't get a more resilient industry than the primary industry and I would say it won't be too long until things get back to normal."
And while the transport industry may have slowed down or stopped momentarily throughout Central Queensland, transport operator Russell Weick also believed the rain will be worthwhile in the long run.
"The floodwaters are proving a bit of a hindrance at the moment, but it will be better down the track," Mr Weick said.
"There are a few bridges damaged around the place, and some creeks and rivers like the Dawson are still over, which means we're jammed here in Gracemere.
"If it wasn't for this, we'd be loading out at Alpha right now.
"The rain event will be good in the long run - everyone will be buying and selling cattle."
Mr Weick operates Russell Weick Transport and his fleet includes two road trains and one B-Double.
For many commercial producers, the rain couldn't have come at a better time.
Ron, Jenny, Ben and Carrie Byriel, Dandarbong, located 20km east of Bauhinia in Central Queensland, recorded up to 230mm in the past week.
A creek running through the property flooded moderately, something which Mr Byriel said was wonderful.
"There hasn't been any damage, so it's all been good," he said.
"We were fighting fires a week ago; it was so hot and dry.
"But it's turned around in a space of days, and now we're looking at nice green grass, full dams, and running creeks.
"We'll start planting sorghum as soon as we can get onto the ground as well."
Mr Byriel runs around 1000 breeders as well as finishing all his own bullocks.
"We've had a major rain event right down the eastern seaboard, so you would think it's got to be positive on the cattle market. We certainly hope so anyway," Mr Byriel said.