Numbers eased to see 620 penned at Emerald sale on Thursday. As the end of financial year approaches, this is largely the reason for the reduced yarding, as has been the case for the past few years.
Quality was varied and some HGP treated cattle didn't sell as well as the free cattle, so values tended to ease across the board.
In the prime section, bullocks over 550kg sold to 367c/kg to average 350c, heavy steers 500-550kg topped at 409c to average 384c, no heavy heifers on offer, heavy cows over 520kg reached 297c to average 292c, 450-520kg cows made as much as 284c to average 279c, while heavy bulls over 600kg sold to 354c.
In the store section, heavy feeder steers 400-500kg reached 416c to average 388c, limited numbers of trade feeder steers 350-400kg sold to 384c to average 372c, 280-350kg steers were too few to quote, while weaner steers 200-280kg made as much as 488c.
Trade feeder heifers, some lines offered being HGP treated, sold to 346c to average 333c, 280-350kg heifers topped at 360c to average 335c, while weaner heifers 200-280kg made as much as 416c to average 350c. Two small lots of cows and calves offered, saw large frame Angus cross cows with calves four months old sell for $2700/unit.
Don and Kay Gordon, Burn Meadows, Emerald, offered Brangus cows, vet PTIC to sell for $1780, while Charles and Carmel McKinlay, Bloodwood, Yamala, had their 690kg Brangus cows to 296c and $2043.
The Prince family, Janibee, Capella, had 456kg Droughtmaster steers sell for 411c and $1877, while the Magee family, St Omer, Capella, sold large frame Angus cross cows with calves four months old sell for $2700/unit.