Numbers reduced a little this week with 1800 cattle penned at Emerald on April 28. An average quality line up however all classes well represented, with a much bigger percentage of cows in the yarding than normal. Again, all categories lost further ground on last week, slaughter descriptions easing by around 20c/kg. For cows there being insufficient slaughter bullocks to quote. Store steers declined from 10c to 25c/kg, majority of the heifer portion losing from 10c to 15c/kg, the lightest of the weaners up to 30c cheaper. Steers 400-500kgs topped 276c to average 247c, 320-400kg steers reached 280c and averaged 255c while steers in the weaner weight ranges peaked at 337c, and they averaged in the early 290kg range. Heavy cows over 520kg lost a little over 20c/kg to top at 204c and average 195c, while 400-520kg, cows sold to 207c, with the average reduced to 180c kg. Heifers over 400kg made to 260c to average 210c, 300-400kg heifers peaked at 267c for a 246c average, while heifers in the weaner weight ranges reached 283c to average in the mid 250c/kg range. The best of the few cows and calves on offer sold for $1260 per unit.
Highlights:
Ross and Katrina Ford, Forest Home, Capella, consigned a quality draft of 250kg Simbrah weaner steers, selling under strong competition to average 337c/kg and $835. While 285kg Brangus steers from Nathan Lord, Werrington, Capella made 314c to return $897. Jess O’Brien, Oklahoma, Capella offloaded 246kg Droughtmaster steers for 309c and $760. While the Gillian Family, Lake Elphinstone, Nebo consigned a large draft of Charolais and Brahman cross heifers, 274kg average topping at 283c to average $741. Lyn Sypher, West Park, Emerald sold a draft of outstanding 600kg Droughtmaster cows to average 199c and $1196, while Charolais cows from Greg and Sonia Spencer, Mayfield, Willows topped 200kg to return $1168. Droughtmaster cross heifers, 483kg from Barry and Emma Sloan, Stanley, Anakie sold to 247c to return $1194. While a draft of cows from the Bettridge family, Mt Wilga, Alpha reached 207c the tops returning $1051.
