Price falls continue at Roma...

The continuing dry conditions across half of the state saw another large yarding at Roma on Tuesday, with the market easing again this week.

The 7924 head yarding was dominated by young cattle, including calves fresh off the cow, with a good panel of buyers operating. 

Ian and Joy Macallister, Roma Downs, and their grandson Ben Whip, Struan, Roma, offloaded 599 Angus-cross heifers and 581 steers, as dry conditions continue to worsen across much of their country.

The heifers weighed in at 286kg and sold to a top of 212c/kg to make $791/head and average 182c/kg, while the steers, weighing 304kg, sold to 266c/kg to make $938/head and average 244c/kg.

Mr Whip said they would have offloaded last year, but the dry conditions meant the cattle were a little bit poor. 

"We got a good break in October but not enough to hold them any longer," he said. 

"We were hoping for a good summer and we'd normally offload them in March. 

"Roma Downs is very average, we've sent a lot of cattle away from there and we've offloaded weaners early.

"At Struan it's much the same, pretty short of water and short of feed as well, so that's why we're offloading now." 

Landmark agent, Rod Turner, Roma, said the market was tough, particulary for heifers, while steers were similar to the previous week.

"A lot of buyers are starting to fill up with cattle so demand is diminishing by the week with the dry season," he said.

"There was a few extra buyers there from Hughenden, Boulia and Longreach, and a couple live exporters operating for cattle going out of Townsville. 

"A lot of people said February was the end of the line when they were going to sell, and that's probably the reason we had so many cattle here this week. There will be cattle again next week, but I think we'll start to see the numbers diminish because a lot of people have sold." 

Mr Turner said quality remained strong. 

"Everyone is trying to keep their cattle in good order at the moment, running a lot of lick and waiting for that break in the season," he said.

"The cattle are in pretty good order and pretty reasonable quality. 

"People have obviously been hanging onto them for a little while and because it hasn't rained they've decided to start doing something."

Weaner steers under 220kg topped at 262c/kg and averaged 232c/kg, and steers in the 220 to 280kg range reached 268c/kg and averaged 232c/kg. 

Heifers under 220kg topped at 208c/kg and averaged 183c/kg, while heifers in the 220 to 280kg range topped at 208c/kg and averaged 171c/kg.