Forecasts of ongoing rain combined with the meteoric rise in prices has prompted the Blackall Livestock Agents Association to move to holding weekly cattle sales for the foreseeable future.
Association president Paton Fitzsimons said the risk of having a fortnightly sale washed out and therefore being reduced to a sale a month wasn't acceptable to clients in the current market.
"Demand is outstripping supply at the moment so we felt the time was right to do this," he said. "There may not be big numbers but people want to sample some of the big money."
Some 1500 to 2000 head of cattle from local areas have been withdrawn from this week's weaner sale thanks to rain but there are still 3500 head booked, coming from northern supply areas.
As far as ongoing supply went, Mr Fitzsimons said numbers would be boosted now that mustering and movement of cattle in the north had just kicked in.
"We want to assure clients we'll do our best to stage sales weekly for them."
Tuesday's store sale at Roma was cancelled thanks to widespread rain across parts of the Maranoa, cutting roads and making mustering impossible.
With the market skyrocketing through the 700c level at the end of last week, the cancellation of the Roma sale is expected to put even more upward pressure on prices as producers and feedlots each scramble to secure what cattle are on offer.
Mr Fitzsimons said it was hard to say what prices might be at Blackall on Thursday, describing the current market as a snowballing event.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
