The presence of six or more southern restockers at Blackall's monthly weaner sale on Thursday put an extra punch in what was already a rising market for the week.
According to Blackall GDL manager Jack Burgess, the demand combined with some quality lines that are the usual product of people's turnoff at this time of year, made for an excellent sale for vendors.
The branch sold 2000 of the 3803 head yarded and Mr Burgess said producers were taking advantage of the market while it lasted.
According to the MLA report, the dearer market was based on recent southern rainfall combined with the local well-bred lines on offer.
Most categories saw a lift in prices from 15c to 60c/kg.
Light weight restocker steers made to a top of 422.2c to average 357c, up 40c/kg.
Restocker steers, 280-330kg, sold to 414.2c, averaging 378c, up 50c/kg.
Medium weight feeder steers, 330-400kg, made to an interim top of 400.2c with most selling around 360c, up 50c/kg.
Heavy feeder steers over 400kg sold to around 368c lifting the average to 341c, up 40c/kg.
Light restocker heifers made to 392.2c, averaging 353c/kg. Heifers, 280-330kg, sold to a top of 358c to average 327c, up 30c/kg.
Heifers to feed over 330kg made to 356c to average 323c, up 60c/kg.
The yarding consisted of cattle drawn from the Blackall, Tambo, Aramac, Jericho, Isisford, Longreach, Hughenden, Richmond, Alice Springs and Charters Towers districts.
Mr Burgess said the isolation measures put in place to enable sales to continue were continuing to work well but involved a number of measures to uphold.
He urged vendors to continue to stay home and for buyers to only attend if they were certain of purchasing.
HIGHLIGHTS
JH and RG Banks Pty Ltd, Springleigh, Blackall Charolais cross steers that topped at 397c/kg weighing 297 kg to return $1180 per head.
Bloomfield Pastoral Company, Bloomfield, Blackall sold Droughtmaster steers to a top of 413c/kg weighing 287 kg to return $1186 per head. They also sold Droughtmaster heifers to a top of 358c/kg weighing 300 kg to return $1076 per head.
CM & JA McClelland, Jericho sold cows for 231.2c/kg averaging 520kg returning $1202.24/head.
RM Herrod, Ulva, Torrens Creek sold Droughtmaster cross heifers for 280c/kg averaging 300kg returning $840/head.
TJ Dowling Family Trust, Coleraine Station, Richmond sold Charolais heifers for 356.2c/kg averaging 321.7kg returning $1146.14.
Davidson Livestock, Cheshire, Tambo sold Angus cross heifers for 337.2c/kg averaging 391.7kg returning $1320.70/head.
HC & JA Maxwell, Charters Towers, sold Angus cross steers for 385.2c/kg weighing 386kg to return $1486, while their heifers sold to 349.2c/kg weighing 296kg to return $1035.
Murray Family Trust, Uanda, Prairie, sold Brangus cross steers for 372.2c/kg weighing 298kg to return $1110.
Deane Grazing Co, Malboona, Corfield, sold Droughtmaster mickeys for 398.2c/kg weighing 223kg to return $888. They also sold Droughtmaster mixed aged breeder cows and calves for $1760.
Talaheena Grazing Co, Talaheena, Longreach sold a draft of heavy Brahman feeder steers for 328.2c/kg at 526kg to return $1726/hd.
AC & K Day, Jaccondoll, Barcaldine sold Charolais/Droughtmaster steers for a top 358.2c/kg at 449kg to return $1,607/hd.
Alibel Trust, Macfarlane, Tambo sold red Angus/Brahman cross steers for 386.2c/kg at 310kg to return $1195/hd.
Rotherfield Trust, Rotherfield, Ilfracombe sold Brangus steers for 388.2c/kg at 331kg to return $1285/hd.
Ballater Past Co, Ballater, Hughenden sold a draft of Droughtmaster/Hereford cross steers making 388.2c/kg at 322kg to return $1251/hd, also selling lighter steers to a top of 414.2c.
Wando Grazing Co, Wando, Winton sold Charolais steers for 388.2c/kg at 346kg to return $1343/hd.
FC, SM & SL Counsell, Lyndon, Barcaldine sold Shorthorn cross steers to a top of 414.2c/kg at 210kg, also selling heavier steers for 380.2c/kg at 313kg to return $1192/hd.
Moorfield Grazing Co, Moorfield, Blackall sold Angus steers for 414.2c/kg at 317kg to return $1315/hd, also selling Angus heifers for 392.2c at 241kg to return $947/hd.
J & L Wells, Bristol, Barcaldine sold an excellent line of Charolais cross weaners selling steers to 422.2c/kg at 256kg to return $1083/hd, also selling heifers to 376.2c/kg at 250kg to return $937/hd.
DW & CE Paterson, Kaloola, Longreach sold Charolais cross steers for 400.2c/kg at 345kg to return $1383/hd, also selling Charolais cross heifers for 356.2c/kg at 316kg to return $1126/hd.
Swan Hill Cattle Co, Swan Hill, Blackall sold Santa cross feeder heifers for 354.2c/kg at 373kg to return $1,323/hd, also selling Santa weaner heifers for 368.2c at 266kg to return $982/hd.
JM Allan & Sons Pty Ltd, Erne, Blackall sold Simbrah heifers for 353.2c/kg at 386kg to return $1360/hd.
Ballater Past Co, Ballater, Hughenden sold Droughtmaster/Hereford cross weaner heifers to a top 378.2c/kg at 251kg to return $950/hd.
Ben Avery, Allandale, Blackall sold Charolais steers for 325c/kg weighing 445kg to return $1446.25/head.
Darren Matheson, Jundah sold Droughtmaster cross steers for 350.2c/kg weighing 375kg to return $1313.25/head.
Lorne Grazing, Blackall sold Angus cross heifers for 378.2c/kg at an average weight of 220.7kg to return $834.74/head.
GJ and JM Lawrence, Lena Park, Barcaldine sold Simmental cross steers for 378.2c/kg weighing 322kg to return $1217.80/head.
MJ & HF Meppem Tamar, Longreach sold Santa/Shorthorn cross steers for 374.2c/kg weighing 309.1kg to return $1156.51/head.
Girrawheen Grazing, Maylands, Aramac sold Droughtmaster steers for 360c/kg weighing 354kg to return $1274.54/head.
Gary Woodhouse, Pathungra, Boulia sold Droughtmaster heifers for 374.2c/kg weighing 234.3kg to return $876.82/head.
DM & SE Wehl, Ravenswood, Aramac sold Droughtmaster steers for 390.2c/kg at an average weight of 285.4kg to return $1113.46/head, and Droughtmaster heifers for 356.2c/kg at an average of 258.6kg to return $921.03/head.