Recent rainfall in the north and west of the state saw prices jump by at least 30 cents, and up to 60 cents in some categories, according to agents at the Charters Towers sale on Wednesday.
A total of 3218 cattle were yarded consisting of 1380 prime cattle and 1838 store cattle.
Producers offloaded largely from local and coastal areas with vendors also sending lines from Cloncurry, Georgetown and Greenvale.
Ray White Rural Townsville and Charters Towers livestock agent Liam Kirkwood said fat cattle were fully firm, perhaps slightly dearer on the heavier side, and store cattle were 40 to 60 cents better depending on weight and quality.
"The recent rain has had an impact and there is a good prediction of rain for most of Queensland later this week," he said.
"That is what has really helped."
Buyers were active from central, western and southern Queensland.
"Cattle have also gone down to Charleville, Alpha and Taroom," Mr Kirkwood said.
"All those fellas are looking to stock up before the rain gets in.
"The country has responded really well and feed is coming away, so it's going to set them up for a really good winter, which is why they're wanting to stock up."
John Rapisarda of Rapisarda Enterprises, Woodhouse Station, Ayr, offloaded 429 Brahman cross store steers to average 563c/kg at 277kg, which returned an average of $1558/hd.
One of their pens of 19 steers sold for 530c/kg weighing 355kg to return a top of $1881/hd.
Malcolm Smith of Mal Smith Investments and the agent acting on behalf of the Rapisarda family said he was pleased with the result.
"Their line of cattle are really quiet and do exceptionally well when you put them into feedlots," he said.
Charters Towers vendors Ricky Burgess and Danielle Brazier offloaded a pen of 21 Brahman cross steers for 668c/kg.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Charters Towers livestock agent Brent Williams noted a few local restockers had returned armed with "a bit of green feed now".
"Supply had shortened up in the kill jobs," he said.
"Cows had dropped back two to three weeks ago and now prices have picked up with the recent rain around.
"Most of this cattle will go away predominantly to the south."
Final sale figures were still being tallied at time of publication.
Read the full market report in next week's edition of the North Queensland Register.
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Zoe Thomas
Northern based journalist at North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.
Northern based journalist at North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.
