Numbers remained near a mirror image to last week when Emerald agents presented 1,715 head for this week’s sale; the quality and presentation was well above most recent sales, with several better vendor bred lines particularly noted among the feeder and weaner categories.

All regular processors and feeder operators were present and operating bar a vealer buyer who was out of the market for the second week in a row, whilst there was notably more interest from local grass buyers chasing weaner steers and the better end of the weaner heifers, however, plainer and secondary cattle still struggled to find any real competition most selling to opportunists.

Bullocks over 550kg were too few to accurately quote, the best selling to 327c. Cows over 520kg, buyers rewarded the well finished lots the better end selling close to firm, however they didn’t have to drop off the pace very far and there was an ease of around 10c to 15c the best topped at 268c to average 256c, back 5c. Medium Cows 450-520kg sold firm on paper with a top of 259c to average 232c. Heifers over 400kg, some select pens of in the slot feeders sold well to peak at 318c, overall the majority to feed and processors eased to average 278c, back 20c. Bulls over 600kg in much better numbers got to 262c to average 238c.

Steers 400-500kg the top price eased back 17c to 345c but a better offering saw the average hold firm at average 298c. Steers 350-400kg were too few to quote last week, a reasonable number this week made to 348c to average 304c. Steers 280-350kg in much better numbers made to 400c, however results in this class ebbed and flowed with the mix of breed and quality to see the average sit at 300c. Heifers 350-400kg in better numbers and presentation saw the average lift 20c to 267c with a top of 298c, Heifers 280-350kg in smaller numbers sold from 160c to 260c to average 224c improving 6c.

Steers under 280kg numbers near doubles and the quality improved which attracted more buyers to see the best sell to 394c with a healthy average of 343c up significantly by 63c. A small sample of Steers under 200kg sold to a top of 370c to average 311c, an improvement of 29c. Heifers 200-280kg continue to be well supplied but couldn’t maintain last weeks rates with a top 240c to average 206 back 15c. Heifers under 200kg darn near too few to quote, peaked at 228c to average 194c.

Highlights

Kim Evans & Tony Lawlor, “Demipique”, Capella sold Red Brangus X Heifers weighing 297gk to 246c or $730.

Craig & Alison Norman, “Pine Creek”, Capella sold Brahman Bullocks weighing 493kg to 286c returning $1,412.

Whitehead Pastoral, “Satellite”, Springsure sold Droughtmaster X Steers, they averaged 207kg, a run of 4 pens made 370c or $843.