QUEENSLAND Reds players witnessed the thrill of a live auction at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange prime and store cattle sale on Wednesday where the price of heifers reached a new record of 510.2c.
The R J Breslin Droughtmaster cross offering averaged 160kg, to return $816/hd.
The steer price was also running hot, with A and D Power, Yeppoon, reaching 570c for their 188kg Brangus pen that returned $1048/hd.
Trent McKinlay, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Rockhampton, said it was the strongest sale he had ever seen, which was fortunate timing, as it coincided with Reds players Seru Uru and Suliasi Vunivalu's visit to the yards.
The flanker and winger stopped by during the Reds to the Region tour where they met with fans and hosted junior rugby clinics in the Rockhampton area.
The crowd at CQLX embraced Mr Uru and Mr Vunivalu who had a full tour of the selling centre and talked to vendors, buyers and backyard stockmen.
The Reds donated a signed jersey that was auctioned off to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
"It attracted strong competition and made $1250," Mr McKinlay said.
"Elders also donated some animal health products to be sold, and CQLX threw in $1000 on top of the tally which brought the grand figure to $3250 for the RFDS," he said.
The terrific results for the iconic and vital medical service matched the tone of the overall prime and store sale, where more than 1450 head were processed.
"Great rainfall over the last three to four weeks has increased demand from local restockers, while lotfeeders and processors were also very active," Mr McKinlay said.
Mr McKinlay said a highlight of the sale was 90 head from the MacGibbon Family Holdings, Nebo, reaching an average of 512.2c for its large line of quality Brangus steers.
"Their top pen reached 524c and was bought by a NSW restocker," he said.
Weighing in at 287kg, the cattle made a return of $1504/hd.
Mr McKinlay was confident the positive market trends would remain at future sales.
"It seems to be getting stronger and stronger at the moment," he said.
"Our peak weaning period, from around April to June, is on track for great lines of young cattle to come through given the recent season."
There yarding comprised 525 steers, 671 heifers, 167 cows and 67 bulls. Cattle were drawn from local areas mostly and north to Mackay.
Slaughter steers sold to 410c, average 369c, steers 400-500kg made 434c, average 416c, steers 300-400kg reached 512c, average 445c, steers 200-300kg made 556c, average 517c and steers under 200kg sold to 270c, average 527c.
Slaughter cows sold to 343c, average 300c, cows 400-450kg made 344c, average 296c, cows 320-400kg reached 319c, average 279c, and cows under 320kg made 270c, average 259c.
Heavy heifers sold to 396c, average 391c, heifers 300-400kg made 440c, average 401c, heifers 200-300kg reached 500c, average 436c, and heifers under 200kg made 510c, average 439c.
Cows and calves sold to $2550/unit, average $2159/unit.
Bulls over 600kg made 360c, average 327c, bulls 450-600kg reached 362c, average 328c and bulls under 450kg sold to 498c, average 381c.
Dial Pastoral, Mt Larcom, sold Charbray steers for 468c, weighing 351kg to return $1645/hd. Nobbs Cattle Co, Duaringa, sold Brahman weaner steers for 452c weighing 352kg to return $1594/hd.
R Dunning, Morinish sold a pen Santa/Limo cross of No 9 steers for 434c to weighing 427kg to return $1856/hd. D Kuhn, Garnant sold a pen Brahman cross steers for 500c weighing 276kg to return $1660/hd. Darnelle Grazing Co, Ridgelands, sold Charbray steers for 540c, weighing 242kg to return $1309/hd.
Mirrabinda Grazing Co, Thangool, sold Simmental cross steers for 512c weighing 303kg to return $1550/hd. Kara Moore, Bracewell, sold Brangus steers for 566c, weighing 192kg to return $1087/hd. Malvern Developments, Keppel Sands, sold a run of 85 Brahman cross steers for 550c weighing 223kg to return $1230. WH Neill-Ballantine, Baralaba, sold Charbray cross cows for 301c weighing 612kg to return $1844. Bruce and Leanne Winn, Ridgelands, sold Charbray cows for 300c weighing 631kg to return $1893.
Brian Brown, Dingo, sold Brahman cross heifers for 500c weighing 248kg to return $1242/hd. W Baker, Goovigen, sold Droughtmaster heifers to 494c weighing 257kg to return $1274. Darnelle Grazing Co, Ridgelands, sold Brahman cross heifers for480c, weighing 223kg to return $1071/hd.
Charlevue Cattle Co, Dingo, sold Brangus heifers for 466c, weighing 240/kg to return $1120/hd. John Milner, Morinish, sold Brahman cross heifers for 498c, weighing 241kg to return $1201/hd.
Red Ridge Grazing, Stanage, sold a run of Brangus cross heifers averaging 452c weighing 261kg to return $1181. A Zanatta, Dululu, sold Brangus heifers for 492c weighing 272kg to return $1342. W and I Haviland, Coowonga, sold Droughtmaster cows and calves for $2550/hd.