An influx in numbers on February 15 at the Emerald prime and store sale saw the total yarding reach 3500 head.
Most of the yarding was made up of large runs of mixed quality weaner cattle coming from the north and west as the ongoing dry conditions continue.
However steers under 280kg, bullocks, heifers to feed and cows over 520kg all received a welcomed spur in price, while feeder steers and the balance of the heifers came slightly back off the pace.
In the prime section, heavy bullocks over 550kg topped at 254c to average 249c, heavy steers in the 500–550kg range reached 271c to average 250c, while heavy heifers over 400kg topped at 260c and averaged 244c.
Heavy cows over 520kg topped at 214c and averaged 211c and cows in the 450-520kg weight category sold to a top of 209c to average 199c.
Meanwhile heavy bulls over 600kg reached 248c to average 231c. In the store section, heavy feeder steers in the 400–500kg range made to 277c to average 255c, while trade feeder steers in the 350–400kg weight category topped at 275c and averaged 263c.
Backgrounder steers in the 280-350kg weight range made to 328c and averaged 271c, weaner steers in the 200-280kg catergory sold to 360c and averaged 313c, meanwhile light steers under 200kg topped at 346c to average 330c.
Feeder heifers in the 350–400kg range reached 253c and averaged 249c, backgrounder heifers in the 280-350kg weight catergory topped at 266c to average 243c, while weaner heifers 200-280kg reached 290c to average 235c.
Five lots of cows and calves came under strong competition at Emerald with a pen of large framed, good condition Euro cross cows with 2–5 month old quality calves at foot making to $1520 per unit.
Highlights
The Daniels family, Stonybrook, Springsure offered 707kg Santa cross steers to make 253c and $1791.
The Perry family, Glendon, Anakie sold 308kg Droughtmaster cross steers to 320c and $987.
The Cox family, Mt Surprise, Alpha sent 443kg to make 274c and $1215, while Barry and Vicki Gifford, Girraween, Capella had their 445kg Brangus steers to reach 274c and $1220.
Johno and Carmel Tibbles, Westlyn, Springsure offered 535kg Droughtmaster cross cows to 209c and $1119.
Meanwhile the Dyer family, Cressbank, Alpha had 628kg Brahman cross cows to make 211c and $1326.
The Bettridge family, Mt Wilga, Alpha sold Droughtmaster cross cows and calves to $1250, while Lawrence and Pat Hack, Rocklea, Alpha had their Euro cross cows and calves to $1520.