The entire yarding was sold on behalf of the Australian Agricultural Co and largely consisted of pregnancy tested in calf and empty Santa cows.

The cattle were drawn from AA Co's western properties Avon Downs and Austral Downs, Mount Isa, and Rockhampton Downs, Tennant Creek, NT.

The vast majority of the yarding sold to restockers, with prices generally above recent market rates.

A line of 302 red tag (four months-plus) PTIC Santa cows topped at $660/head and averaged $602/head, while 57 blue tag (under four months) PTIC Santa cows topped at $595/head and averaged $505/head.

The 452 empty Santa cows topped at $530/head and averaged $416/head, while 60 cows and calves averaged $665/unit.

The 200 Santa heifers averaging 223kg topped at 176c/kg and averaged 169c/kg or $335/head.

Roma Livestock Agents Association vice president, Peter Holland, of PJ Holland and Co, said those cattle had been trucked in to Roma prior to the strike, and believed yardings at Thursday's July 31 sale would be small.

"No vendors have consigned cattle at this stage for Thursday's sale," Mr Holland said.

"But the scheduled sales will not be cancelled, an any vendor who does consign cattle can be assured that they will be sold."

* Extract from a full report to appear in Queensland Country Life, July 31 issue.