A total of 47,844  cattle passed through the saleyards in April – the latest monthly figures provided by the Cloncurry Shire Council. 

In the previous April the number was 21,040. 

Deputy mayor Bob McDonald said prices were more “buoyant” from live export sales and the abattoirs and it meant graziers could make money from their cattle. 

Desperate graziers were accepting low prices for their cattle last year, which was why there was an influx in the saleyards last year. 

But graziers in the region and gulf did not get the rain they needed in this year’s wet season and needed to reduce the burden on their properties during winter. 

“The drought is like someone with a whip behind you, pushing,” he said. 

“The pastures are deteriorating quickly. The rain has stopped early, so the grass ripened quicker; we’re going into winter quicker. 

“It’s a long time until Christmas; it means people are facing six months of stock without hope of rain.” 

Wet seasons since 2013 had brought the lowest rainfall Cr McDonald could recall in his lifetime. 

But he remained optimistic heavy rain would eventually make it to the region.

“There was never a drought that didn’t break, so she’ll come ... she’ll come.”