The sheer number of cows coming forward has surprised southern agents.

The market improved by $300-$400/hd at Gin Gin on Monday.

The market continued to climb at Eidsvold last week.

The western Queensland cattle market opened very strongly at Blackall on Thursday, in all markets, when just under 1900 head were yarded.

The market was dearer for all categories at Emerald on Thursday.

Competition was strong at Gracemere sale on Wednesday.

Sale records for steers and cows were broken at Mareeba on Tuesday.

Rain since the middle of January will put the handbrake on production for the remaining months of the first quarter at least.

The market ran red hot at today's Roma Store Sale where just under 2000 head were yarded.

There was strong buyer competition across all categories at Gracemere on Wednesday.