Weekly Update from Roma Saleyards: Market Insights
Freeman Pastoral Company’s heifers.
Yarding: 3900 Change: -4572
This week’s Roma sale followed the Easter Public Holiday and featured 3900 head of cattle. The iconic Roma landmark attracted many visitors who came to witness the bustling sale.
Regular buyers filled the laneways, competing for cattle that hailed from across Queensland and New South Wales, including sources as distant as McKinlay in the north and Coonamble and Moree in the south.
Sale Highlights
The Freeman Pastoral Company, located at ‘Miley View’, sold steers at a remarkable price of 503c/kg for 223kg, totaling $1,124 each. Additionally, they offloaded Angus cross heifers with three pens making 406c/kg; the heaviest pen averaged 240kg and fetched $978 each.
Bangor Cattle Co Pty Ltd’s steers.
Notably, Bangor Cattle Co offered Charolais and Droughtmaster cross steers, with returns hitting 526c/kg, weighing in at an average of 228kg, resulting in $1,201 apiece. A standout pen of Charolais steers reached 546c/kg, yielding $1,378 for 252kg.
TT & KA Fox’s heifers.
TT & KA Fox from ‘Aralven’, St George, sold Charolais cross steers for 527c/kg at an impressive weight of 207kg, totaling $1,091, while two pens of steers reached 530c/kg; the heaviest peaking at $1,215 for 229kg. Their heifers also performed well, selling at 396c/kg and averaging $868 each.
Market Analysis
During this week’s sale, 3900 head of cattle passed through the market, largely sourced from southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Quality remained mixed for lightweight restocker steers, including a significant portion of lightweight bulls. Prices held steady, driven by keen demand from regions in northwest and western Queensland. Local restockers continued to show interest particularly in light steers between 280 to 400kg.
Lightweight restocker steers (200-280kg) averaged 510c/kg, peaking at 546.2c. Steers weighing 280-330kg averaged about 488.2c, while those from 330-400kg returned around 484c/kg.
The quality of heifers under 330kg heavily influenced pricing, with ‘C’ muscle class holding at 406.2c and ‘D’ muscle averaging only 270c/kg. Females in the 280-400kg range similarly scored 406.2c/kg average.
Top Sales This Week
Prominent sellers included:
- Freeman Pastoral Company: Sold Santa Gertrudis cross steers for 546c/kg, peaking at $1,299.
- Bangor Cattle Co: Offered Charolais steers reaching 546c/kg, averaging $1,201.
- JC & M Todd: Sold Santa Gertrudis cross steers making it to $1,727.
- Lowan Hills Pastoral Co: Their Santa Gertrudis steers topped at 538c/kg, averaging $1,651.
Market Reporter: Sam Hart
For a detailed NLRS report, click here.
Looking Ahead
As the industry continues to adapt to fluctuating conditions, the Roma sale remains a pivotal event for cattle producers, buyers, and the broader livestock community. Stay tuned for next week’s updates as we progress into a new month of sales.
