Records were broken at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX) Prime and Store Sale on Wednesday, where the steer price exceeded the 800c/kg milestone and heifers flew past the 700c/kg mark for the first time in recent history.
The new top for steers, of 816.2c/kg, was set by a Charbray line, offered by H and M Newton, that averaged 155kg and returned $1264/head, surpassing the previous record set in early November for a JM Tait, Rossmoya, Droughtmaster cross pen which hit 782.2c/kg.
The top heifer pen, which peaked at 726c/kg, was a good-quality Droughtmaster line, offered by G and D Murphy, Ridgelands, and weighed 252kg to return $1830/head.
The previous record for heifers was set at 655.2c/kg in July for a feature run of Fenech Brahman females.
Morgan Harris, TopX Gracemere, said the prices were being driven by fierce restocker demand and aligned CQLX with the strong prices being achieved at RLX selling facilities across the country.
However, he said the heifers' exceptional quality was the main driver for this particular sale.
"These were heavier heifers that were very well bred and very good quality," Mr Harris said.
Recent wet weather reduced the yarding size to 1425 head, which is 1525 less than last week, but worked well to buoy buyer confidence.
"The rain definitely brought out some extra restockers to the buying panel," Mr Harris said.
"It was a strong sale across the board."
The brothers of the top females, were also hotly contested, reaching 802c/kg and weighed 246kg to equal $1973/head for vendor G and D Murphy.
Other highlights in the steer category included a 283kg Brangus weaner line, offered by WJ and PR Ashe, Bajool, which peaked at 724c/kg and returned $2049/head.
Morinish vendor, WR Jones, had a good result for their Brangus cross steers which topped at 776c/kg and weighed 260kg to return $2022/head.
Bray Perrett, Raglan sold Brangus cross steers for 636c/kg, which weighed 332kg and returned $2115/head.
For the heavier lines, K and M Sainsbury, Kokotungo, sold 547kg Droughtmaster cross steers for 512c/kg to make a return of $2804/head.
For heifers, Tralee Cattle Company, Baralaba, made 624.2c/kg for a 67-head Brangus line which averaged 347kg and equalled $2124/head.
A highlight in the cow category was a Brahman cross pen, offered by W Saunders and L Sigvart, Wowan, which made 418c/kg to equal $2375/head.
Restocker buyers also showed keen interest in the cows and calves market, which peaked at $3875/unit for a Pat Moran, Clarke Creek, Grey Brahman line.
Looking ahead, Mr Harris said, weather depending, the yarding should swell to its usual size next week and the solid prices would hold firm.
"There is no sign of the market slowing down before Christmas," he said.
