Agents offered 1,979 head for this weeks Emerald combined sale, with quality, consistency and finish mixed in near all classes. The processing sector was well represented with prices holding close enough to firm for the article offered, feeder weight prices held firm to dearer for the better article and there were some gains for those with competition from grass operators. Weaner steers may not have seen the highs of the sale a fortnight ago but sold more consistently to see the average lift 40c, yearling & weaner heifers are definitely back in vogue with interest from processors, grass & backgrounder accounts.

Bullocks in small numbers made to about 356c, cows over 520kg numbers halved and they didn’t have the polish of the previous sale to average 286c with a top of around 296c, cows 450/520kg also in half the numbers to average 272c with a high of 289c. cows under 450kg mostly lacking finish sold to 266c to average about 245c, heifers over 400kg once again numbers halved to reach 325c to average 311c back 7c, the sting came out of the heavy bulls market peaking at 272c to average 254c. Feeder steers over 400kg sold to 380c to average 362c up 22c, steers 350-400kg sold back to the paddock at 402c to average 354c improving 8c, steers 280-350kg was well back with a top price of 444c but the average lifted 16c at 390c. Steers 200-280kg made to 444c to average 392c back 40c however contributing factors played a part in this result, steers under 200kg not quoted.

Feeder heifers 350-400kg in limited supply topped at 350c to average 316c back 4c, heifers 280-350kg  one single line bolstered numbers in this class with a peak of 348c the average of 320c up 5c, heifers 200-280kg reached 342c to hold firm at 294c, heifers under 200kg in small numbers selling to 270c.

1 pen of 3 x 3 first calf heifers made $1,100 per unit and a single Braford unit made $1,350.