Australia-The Cattle markets.

AUSTRALIA-CATTLE MARKETS.

The market improved for all categories of steers at Queensland’s benchmark Roma store sale yesterday, where 4500 head were yarded.

The improvement in prices can be attributed to more rainfall around the Maranoa over the past week, which resulted in a few more restockers bidding at the sale.

The Roma Store Index responded accordingly, rising 1.4 points to 101.2 points.

Steers in the 400-550kg range topped at 179c/kg and averaged 165c/kg (+4); steers in the 350-400kg range reached 197c/kg and averaged 178c/kg (+9); while steers in the 280-350kg range reached 209c/kg and averaged 180c/kg (+7).

Steers in the 220-280kg range reached 210c/kg and averaged 187c/kg (+5), while a handful weaners under 220kg topped at 200c/kg and averaged 184c/kg (-7).

The quality of this week’s heifer offering was not quite at last Tuesday’s standard and this was reflected in a slight easing of values.

Heifers in the 350-450kg range topped at 158c/kg and averaged 150c/kg (+8); heifers in the 280-350kg range topped at 163c/kg and averaged 149c/kg (-5); heifers in the 220-280kg range topped at 177c/kg and averaged 158c/kg (-4); while heifers under 220kg topped at 190c/kg and averaged 168c/kg (-1).

Cows in the 400-500kg range topped at 150c/kg and averaged 128c/kg (+3) while cows over 500kg reached 145c/kg and averaged 136c/kg (+5).

Cows and calves topped at $960/unit.