A pen of Droughtmaster-cross steers hit 544.2c/kg at the Mareeba Saleyards last Tuesday, breaking the selling centre's cents per kilogram record for yearling steers.
Historically, Mareeba Saleyards have had a reputation for rough cattle, but with plenty of quality well bred lines of cattle coming through the sales, it has attracted strong interest from buyers across Queensland.
Since their first sale back in February, Mareeba has so far set new saleyards records across all categories including mickeys at 500c, heifers at 450.2c, yearling heifers at 450.2c and now with yearling steers at 544.2c.
The Shroj family from Dimbulah attracted the top price for their young pen of eight Droughtmaster-cross steers, averaging 147kg to return roughly $800/head by a southern restocker. The record-breaking pen was sold by Elders Mareeba agent Mark Peters.
Mr Peters described the sale as an optimistic start to the year.
"We're seeing similarities in our market to many other markets across Queensland at the moment," Mr Peters said.
"The record breaking cents per kilo price doesn't seem to be fazing some of the buyers, with most interest coming from southern traders and commission buyers.
"The heavier they get, the cents per kilo rate generally changes back to a lesser number, but the value in general is very strong across the board, especially the store cattle."
Mr Peters said he wasn't surprised that the pen of young Droughtmaster-cross steers broke the saleyard record.
"It doesn't happen all the time, although throughout the last 12 months we have on quite a few occasions set new sale records in Mareeba and it's just a very healthy market," he said.
"I think it's just the fact that they've got representation here in our marketplace and if the number of cattle are available, it doesn't seem to make any difference where they come from."
The Bowden family from Ravenshoe broke the saleyard record for yearling steers earlier in the sale, with their pen of nine Droughtmaster steers averaging 169kg and selling at 536.2c.
The previous record for yearling steers was 530c/kg.
Overall, the Mareeba Saleyards achieved the highest rate paid so far this year for cows at 326.2c and medium weight steers at 472.2c.
All up there were 920 head sold at an average of 370.82c or $1120.
Ninety-two bulls averaged 332.2c, selling to a top of 462.2c, while 154 cows averaged 247.1c, selling to a top of 326.2c.
Ninty-eight heifers averaged 335.7c, selling to a top of 450.2c, while 316 steers averaged 383.9c, selling to a top of 472.2c.
Ninty-six yearling heifers averaged 416.4c, selling to a top of 440.2c, while 158 yearling steers averaged 456.0c, selling to a top of 544.2c.
Two cows and calves sold at $1520/unit, three cows and calves sold at $1260.