An increase of nearly 600 cattle had almost 2400 head penned at Emerald on Thursday. As has been the trend for the last few sales, the heavier the animal, the more in demand they are and Thursday was no exception. Slaughter ready and direct entry feeder weight stock firmed up in value while light weight cattle going back on grass struggled to maintain last week’s prices.
In the prime section, they were no bullocks over 550kg to quote, heavy steers 500-550kg sold to 298c to average 282c, no number of heavy heifers over 400kg to accurately quote, heavy cows over 520kg reached 244c to average 238c, cows 450-520kg made as much as 240c to average 235c, while heavy bulls over 600kg topped at 283c.
In the store section, heavy feeder steers sold to 304c for the good average of 291c, 350-400kg steers came under fire from both live export and feedlot buyers to reach 307c to average 299c, steers 280-350kg made as much as 301c to average 278c, weaner steers 200-280kg topped at 296c to average 263c, while there were too few light steers under 200kg to quote.
Feeder heifers 350-400kg received the same treatment from live export and feeder buyers to top at 275c to average 267c, 280-350kg heifers sold to 275c to average 254c, weaner heifers 200-280kg made as much as 275c to average 228c, while light heifers under 200kg peaked at 219c.
The Jansen family, Riverview, Alpha sold Euro cross steers to 290c to weigh 315kg or $916. AJ and Pam Davison, MT Donald, Clermont sold a line of Brahman heifers making to 275c to weigh 351kg or $966. The Pocock family, Highlands Plains, Dysart sold Euro cross cows to 235c to weigh 511kg and $1201.
The Barlow family, Amaroo, Comet sold Brangus cows to 235c to weigh 586kg or $1378. Jono and Carmel Tibbles, Westlyn, Orion sold Droughtmaster cross cows to 237c to weigh 527kg and $1250. Bill and Vicki Pownall, Betoota, Clermont sold Brahman cows to 244c to weigh 555kg or $1355. Coovin Past, Clermont sold Santa feeder steers to 297c to weigh 361kg and $1075.
TA and CM Boag, Ausbute, Blackwater sold Droughtmaster steers to 276c and weighed 231kg or $638. Peter Thomas, Tobermorey, Emerald sold Brahman bullocks to 303c to weigh 622kg or $1887. Caroa Pastoral, Capella, sold Brahman cows to 240c to weigh 565kg or $1357. Ken and Deidre Copping, MT Sunlight, Rolleston sold Santa cross steers to 305c to weigh 382kg or $1165.