Last week the benchmark store cattle sale had numbers slashed by the transport industry strike, with only 1100 head yarded.

But TopX Roma manager Cyril Close said recent rainfall across parts of south-west Queensland had motivated some producers to restock their herds and take advantage of the favorable weather conditions.

"The rain has come very late in the season, but producers are happy with what they have got," Mr Close said.

"The extra water will give a late boost to oats and grain crops and the sub-soil moisture will remain for the summer plant."

The biggest price rises this week were seen during the selling of feeder steers and heifers, which rose up to 10 cents on previous week’s rates.

Luke Daniels, Sam Kennedy, Nathan Keyes and Mick Grant, Brodie and Co, Cloncurry, consigned 1100 head of cattle on behalf of the Grant family, Red Hill, Winton and the North Australian Pastoral Company (NAPCO).

NAPCO offloaded a line of 526 Santa-cross and Brahman-cross cows for an average of $532/head.

The Roma Store Index lifted 1.3 points to settle at 103.9 points this week.

* Extract from a full report in Queensland Country Life, August 7 edition.