With a strong yarding of 1900 head for the opening sale of 2018 on January 11 Emerald witnessed an easing market which mirrors the trend at other opening sales across the country.
Although a general ease was seen across the board, heavy steers and cows saw a slight spur in price with some categories staying firm. In the prime section, bullocks over 550kg topped at 264c/kg to average 262c, heavy steers 500–550kg reached 280c and averaged 267c, heavy heifers over 400kg topped at 257c and averaged 250c, heavy cows over 520kg topped at 221c and averaged 214c, 450-520kg cows made to 218c to average 210c, while heavy bulls over 600kg reached 247c to average 216c.
In the store section, heavy feeder steers 400–500kg made to 291c to average 272c, while trade feeder steers 350–400kg topped at 325c and averaged 280c. Backgrounder steers 280-350kg made to 328c and averaged 282c, weaner steers 200-280kg sold to 351c and averaged 312c, while light steers under 200kg reached 368c and averaged 340c.
Feeder heifers 350–400kg reached 268c and averaged 254c, backgrounder heifers 280-350kg topped at 287c to average 263c, while weaner heifers 200-280kg reached 294c to average 262c. 90 x 90 cows and calves were yarded with the highest price pen reaching $1380 per unit.
The Wells and Hanrahan family, Palari, Springsure consigned Charbray steers reaching 273c to average 530kg to return $1447, while Dean Eyles of Capella sold Brangus steers topping at 270c and averaging 473kg or $1278.
Bill and Fiona Eyles, Wilona, Capella also offered Brangus steers reaching 302c averaging 352kg returning $1066, the Mckinlay family, Bloodwood, Yamala consigned Euro cross cows topping the cows over 520kg category at 221c to average 585kg or $1295.
The Bulger family, Carinyah, The Willows sold Brahman cross cows selling to 215c to average 598kg to return $1288, while Daniel Imsirovic, Belcong, Capella offered Brangus cows topping at 215c to average 526kg or $1133.
