Numbers dropped by 200 head to just over 1400 cattle penned at Emerald on Thursday. Feeder entry weight cattle or prime stock either maintained or improved in price, while the lighter store yarding wasn’t quite the quality of last week, along with the continuing dry, values eased for cattle returning to the paddock.
In the prime section, no bullocks to quote, heavy steers 500-550kg sold to 275c to average 270c, with these steers going to feedlots. Heavy heifers over 400kg reached 255c to average 240c, heavy cows over 520kg made as much as 236c to average 230, cows 450-520kg topped at 227c to average 203c, while bulls over 600kg sold to 240c.
In the store section heavy feeder steers 400-500kg reached 280c to average 267c, steers 350-400kg sold to 261c to average 257c, 280-350kg steers topped at 253c to average 245c, weaner steers 200-280kg made as much as 251c to average 235c, while light steers under 200kg sold to 250c.
Trade feeder heifers 350-400kg reached 244c to average 213c, 280-350kg heifers sold to 240c to average 221c weaner heifers 200-280kg made as much as 215c to average 193c, while light heifers under 200kg sold to 180c. No cows and calves to quote this week.
Highlights:
Regular vendors the Prince family, Melaleuca, Capella sold 472kg Droughtmaster cross steers to 280c and $1322, while a run of 370kg feeder steers from David and Leanne Cox, Mt Surprise, Alpha sold to 260kg and $974.
The Prewett family, Glendariwell, Emerald sold 241kg Brangus steers for 241c and $582, their 231kg heifer mates selling to 206c and $476. Greg and Dan Perry, Glendon, Anakie offloaded 250kg Droughtmaster weaner steers to a top of 240c and $627, while the Pedler family sold Droughtmaster feeder steers for 263c and $1115.
Dylan Cox, Montrose, Alpha sold 505kg Brahman cross cows to 230c and $1164, while the Bettridge family, Mt Wilga, Alpha sold a run of Droughtmaster cows, the 480kg lead selling to 205c and $988.