Breaking the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange record, steer prices surged into unchartered territory reaching 522c/kg for weaner steers at Wednesday's prime and store cattle sale.
Snapped up by a restocker from Moura, the stellar pen from Taunton Station weighed under 200kg and returned $844/head.
Harry Phillips, Savage Barker and Backhouse - GDL, Gracemere, said it was an exciting moment to see prices surpass historical records at the yards.
"We had a run of southern buyers, mostly backgrounders, who propped the sale up," Mr Phillips said.
In total, the 3779 head yarding were drawn from Nebo, St Lawrence, Bowen, Blackwater, Baralaba, Biloela and the local area.
"For heavier cattle, we had a few big runs of feeder steers that sold to 388c/kg, and a few pens of trade steers that made to 412c/kg," Mr Phillips said.
Creed and Bowkett topped the steer category with a run of Brahman-cross, which sold for 385c, weighing 480kg to make $1856/head.
Busby Cattle Company, Mt Larcom, also had a good result for its Charbray steers that reached 393c, weighed 430kg to return $1685.
For lighter steers, Cedar Creek Grazing, Gogango, reached the remarkable height of 500c with its 222kg Limousin-cross pen that made $1114.
Mr Phillips said the heifer job mirrored the bidding action for the steers.
"The weaner heifer market was as dear as we have ever seen it," he said.
"A lot of backgrounders were bidding for the lighter calves, we saw prices of 440c/kg to 460c/kg for the lighter heifers."
A feature in this category were S and DL McAulay-Powell's Brahman heifers that topped at 442c, weighed 188kg, to return $830.
The cow market was strong, and Charters Towers' Unity Pastoral peaked at 320c for its grey Brahmans that weighed 415kg to make $1250.
Looking ahead, Mr Phillips said it was possible for next week's sale to host similar prices.
"Every week we say it can't get any dearer, and then next week proves us all wrong. It's a very exciting time to be in the agriculture industry."
Other sale highlights included Top End Partnership, Blackwater, selling Brangus feeder steers for 398c, weighing 435kg, to return $1734.
Marlegoo Family Trust, Biloela, sold Charbray feeder steers for 416c, weighing 415kg, to return $1727. They also sold Charbray heifers for 412c, weighing 430kg, to return $1775.
Lyn Graham, Wowan, sold Charbray weaner steers for 446c, weighing 276kg, to return $1232.
Taunton Station, Taunton, sold Brangus weaner steers for 508c, weighing 188kg, to return $957.
Manuel Vella, Mackay, sold quality Angus/Simmental steers to top at 420c, weighing 373kg, to return $1570.
Day Grazing, St Lawrence, sold Brahman steers for 380c, weighing 498kg, to return $1892.
RF & HG Matthews, Kalapa, sold Droughtmaster weaner steers to top at 460c, weighing 288kg, to return $1328.
IV and A Walters, Kabra, sold Brangus-cross cows for 292c, weighing 535kg, to return $1563.
EM and RF Bella, Nebo, sold No.9 Brangus heifers for 398c, weighing 380kg, to return $1513.
R and J Peff, Wowan, sold No.8 Brangus heifers for 350c, weighing 444kg, to return $1556.
Lawson Dunne, Wowan, sold Brangus cows and calves for $2000/unit.
