EMERALD CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT – THURSDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2025

Emerald agents presented 3,000 head for this week’s combined sale. Quality and presentation were fair, and for the third week in a row a large, single vendor consignment significantly added to the overall numbers. Cattle to processors and feedlots, whilst there was a full field of buyers; followed the market trend with a general easing in prices however, a better presentation of heavy feeder steers saw some improvement. The better quality yearling steers with weight suited to grass sold well, and whilst the average prices for nearly all weaner classes fell it was a very different yarding to the last sale which will have played a part in this result.

Steers and Bullocks over 550kg we again too few to accurately quote. The best making to 354c, steers 500-550kg in small numbers also made to 354c. Cows over 520kg sold to a top of 297c to average 287c back 14c, medium cows 450-520kg average eased 10c at 282c with a high of 307c, cows 400-450kg made to 290c on occasion to average 267c back 15c. Heifers over 400kg sold to 336c to average 311c back 7c. Bulls over 600kg made to 287c, the average up 3c at 263c.

Feeder steers 400-500kg in slightly better supply peaked at 376c to average 359c up 12c, steers 350-400kg the better quality was sought by grass fatteners selling to 438c which helped the average lift 40c at 356c, steers 280-350kg in much better numbers topped at 438c however a mixed class realised in the result with an average of 357c. Heifers 350-400kg numbers halved the best made to 331c to average 300c back 15c, however perhaps contributing factors played a part in this result, heifers 280-350kg in good numbers reached 331c to average 290c back 7c.

Steers 200-280kg with a large portion bred on lighter northern pastures showing plenty of content was in stark contrast to last week’s offering. The better calves made to 446c, the average of 369c was back 68c. Steers under 200kg buyers were selective, the better bred softer pens making 438c the average was 344c. Heifers 200-280kg sold well when we compare apples to apples with a high of 322c to average 278c firm, heifers under 200kg topped at 288c to average 266c.

There were three smaller lots of cows and calves, selling from $1,175 to $1,260 per unit.