A much smaller offering of 1145 cattle were penned at Emerald sale on Thursday. As a result of some early signs of isolated rain, together with a clear improvement in the quality of the yarding, prices held firm on average for slaughter descriptions. Store categories came under much stronger competition for the steers portion to post gains of 12-25c/kg, while the heifer section improved anywhere from 10-35c.
The few slaughter type steers sold to 297c, a very good line-up of heavy feeder steers 400-500kg topped at 285c to sell to a consistent average of 279c. A similar pattern in a quality line-up of 350-400kg steers reaching 285c to average 279c, steers in the 280-350kg category sold to 278c for a 266c average, while those in the weaner weight ranges topped at 300c to average 268c.
Heavy cows over 520kg made to 222c for an improved average of 216c, while the 450-520kg cows topped at 219c to average 185c. Heavy heifers over 400kg topped at 254c, those in the 350-400kg range made to 249c to average a much improved 240c, 280-350kg heifers reached 240c to average 226c, while weaner heifers topped at 230c to average 215c.
Rick and Thelma Powell, Warrigal Station, Mt Coolan, sold Droughtmaster steers to 285c to weigh 412kg and returned $1176. Shane Goodwin, Malthoid, Capella, sold Brahman cross steers to 297c to weigh 504kg to return $1498.
Mike and Vicki Donovan, Coolibah, Capella, sold Charolais cross steers to 278c and weighed 338kg or $940, Lyn Sypher, West Park, Emerald, consigned Droughtmaster cross steers that made to 269c to weigh 349kg or $939, while the cow portion made to 219c to weigh 609kg and returned $1335. The Barlow family, Amaroo, Comet, sold Brangus cows to 213c to weigh 570kg or $1215.
