The peaks and troughs of saleyard yardings look to have stabilised for now, with Roma consistently yarding close to 5000 head in recent weeks.
A total of 5146 head were consigned at Roma's Store Sale on Tuesday, drawn from a wide supply area and included some quality runs of weaner cattle.
Demand for quality pushed the steer market to a top of 310c/kg for Santa-cross cattle from DR and PL Cameron, Tullaville, Moonie, to make a top of $1044, while heifer prices hit a top of 260c/kg for Angus-cross cattle from CT and JV Varidel, Carisbrooke, Yuleba, for $1147/head.
Herb and Sue George, Glen Valley Pastoral Co, Jundah, sold their first run of weaners for the season, offloading 76 EU Santa steers weighing 250kg for a top of 294c/kg to average 285c/kg and $713/head.
They also sold 11 Santa heifers from 360kg to 470kg for a top of 244c/kg to make $1113/head.
Elders Quilpie agent Sam Bartlett said the prices reflected the quality of the cattle.
"They're experiencing a pretty handy season out there and they've got good feed for the season ahead, which is great to see, " he said.
"They've had a couple of good rainfalls, one out of Cyclone Trevor, and a good backup from that last good rain that came through Queensland, so they've got an abundance of grass and herbages throughout the place."
Weaner steers under 220kg topped at 294c/kg and averaged 272c/kg, while steers in the 220 to 280kg range reached 308c/kg to average 270c/kg.
Steers weighing 280 to 350kg reached a top of 310c/kg and averaged 264c/kg, with steers 350 to 400kg making 286c/kg to average 258c/kg.
Feeder steers in the 400 to 550kg range topped at 281c/kg and averaged 258c/kg.
Weaner heifers under 220kg topped at 248c/kg and averaged 209c/kg, while heifers in the 220 to 280kg range reached 260c/kg to average 224c/kg.
Heifers weighing 280 to 350kg reached 257c/kg and averaged 225c/kg, with heifers 350 to 450kg making 257c/kg to average 228c/kg.
Cows reached a top of 233c/kg and averaged 163c/kg.
Geoff Maslen, Grant Daniel and Long, Roma, said the yarding included some quality pens, with bigger runs of quality weaners set to come onto the market in the weeks ahead.
"Weaner cattle were definitely dearer this week; they could have been 10 or 15 cents dearer," he said.
"Cattle that were making 270(c/kg) last week, were certainly making 285 and into the 290s, but there's still some very good quality weaners getting up over $3 for the number nines."
