The heavier end of the store steer market was back by around 3c/kg, however weaner steers remained fully firm, topping at 214c/kg.

The benchmark weekly Queensland sale included some very good quality lines and this helped the Roma Store Index to settle at 102.6 points, down just 1.4 points this week.

Steers in the 400-550kg range topped at 180c/kg and averaged 168c/kg (-5c/kg), steers in the 350-400kg range reached 184c/kg and averaged 170c/kg (-2c/kg), while steers in the 280-350kg range topped at 206c/kg and averaged 179c/kg (+5c/kg).

Weaner steers in the 220-280kg range reached 212c/kg and averaged 186c/kg (-4c/kg), while steers under 220kg topped at 214c/kg and averaged 194c/kg (+2c/kg).

Heifers in the 350-450kg range topped at 173c/kg and averaged 162c/kg (+1), those in the 280-350kg range reached 175c/kg and averaged 158c/kg (-1), heifers in the 220-280kg range topped at 177c/kg and averaged 163c/kg (-3), while weaner heifers under 220kg topped at 196c/kg and averaged 173 (+11).

Cows were a shade easier with those in the 400-500kg range topping at 150c/kg and averaging 132c/kg (-8), while cows in the 300-400kg range reached 137c/kg and averaged 128c/kg (+1).

* Sales are scheduled to go ahead in Roma next week, despite the planned transport strike.

* Extract from a full sale report to appear in Queensland Country Life, July 24 issue.