Numbers dropped by almost 1000 head to see 1660 cattle penned at Emerald on Thursday.
It was a mostly local yarding, with most descriptions being in very good condition despite the season starting to dry off in patches.
The general trend was a slightly cheaper market, with the exception of the cows, which could be related to the very good quality of cows on offer.
In the prime section, bullocks over 550kg sold to 360c to average 335c, heavy steers 500-550kg made to 392c to average 355c, heavy heifers over 400kg topped at 394c to average 341c, heavy cows over 520kg peaked at 299c to average 289c, 450-520kg cows made as much as 290c to average 275c, while heavy bulls over 600kg sold to 279c.
In the store section, 400-500kg feeder steers sold to 458c.kg to average 396c, trade feeder steers 350-400kg topped at 452c to average 404c, 280-350kg steers reached 518c to average 445c, while weaner steers 200-280kg made as much as 524c to average 459c.
Trade feeder heifers 350-400kg sold to 418c to average 382c, 280-350kg heifers topped at 454c to average 400c, weaner heifers 200-280kg made as much as 458c to average 413c, while a single pen of medium frame Angus cross cows, with calves from three to six months old sold for $2480/unit.
Highlights:
The Prince family, Janibee, sold Droughtmaster cross steers to 415c to weigh 495kg or $2057. Bettafield Farming, Bettafield, Gindie, sold Charolais cross steers to 458c to weigh 323kg and returned $1482. The McLucas family, Roper Valley, Middlemount, sold Santa cross cows to 294c and weighed 602kg or $1771.
The Bettridge family, Mt Wilga, Alpha, sold Droughtmaster cross cows to 292c to weigh 598kg and returned $1747. Charles and Carmel McKinlay sold Brahman cross heifers to 330c to weigh 662kg or $2186. Brad and Briony Comiskey, Barrinja, Yamala, sold Brangus cows to 299c to weigh 652kg or $1952.
