EMERALD CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT – THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY 2026
Emerald combined agents yarded 1,791 head at today’s prime and store sale, the first sale of 2026. Along with other selling centres, prices have eased slightly from the peak in late 2025; however, cattle are still returning good values, particularly the better-quality lines. There was a good run of heavy bulls today, with the top selling to 390c/kg and averaging 357c/kg. Feeder bulls reached a top of 412c/kg. Very few bullocks were offered, but the best sold to 390c/kg, averaging 441c/kg. A good run of cows was present, mainly of good quality and condition. The best cows over 520kg sold to 384c/kg, averaging 364c/kg. Prime heifers sold to 418c/kg, with most making 400c/kg or better. Store cattle were of very mixed quality, which affected average values; however, the better lines sold under strong competition. Flatback feeder steers sold to 514c/kg, averaging 452c/kg. Feeder heifers of reasonable quality consistently sold from 380 to 420c/kg, averaging 397c/kg. Weaner heifers reached 418c/kg, averaging 369c/kg. A few small pens of cows and calves were also offered, selling from $800 to $1,300 per unit.
| CATEGORY | WEIGHT RANGE | MIN c/kg | AVG c/kg | MAX c/kg |
| STEERS | Under 200kg | – | – | – |
| 200-280kg | 320 | 452 | 530 | |
| 280-350kg | 336 | 417 | 534 | |
| 350-400kg | 340 | 426 | 484 | |
| 400-500kg | 98 | 460 | 514 | |
| Over 500kg | 407 | 441 | 460 | |
| HEIFERS | Under 200kg | – | – | – |
| 200-280kg | 240 | 369 | 410 | |
| 280-350kg | 300 | 394 | 418 | |
| 350-400kg | 328 | 397 | 420 | |
| Over 400kg | 300 | 400 | 418 | |
| COWS | 300-400kg | 40 | 233 | 331 |
| 400-450kg | 140 | 320 | 353 | |
| 450-520kg | 210 | 344 | 371 | |
| Over 520kg | 100 | 364 | 384 | |
| BULLS | Up to 450kg | 280 | 347 | 380 |
| 450-600kg | 334 | 351 | 387 | |
| Over 600kg | 170 | 357 | 390 | |
| Cows & Calves | $800 | $1,133 | $1,300 | |
Highlights
W & J Gakowski, Emerald, sold Droughtmaster cows for 375c/kg, weighing 614kg to return $2,305 per head.
Tangara Partnership, Springsure, sold Droughtmaster X cows for 365c/kg, weighing 607kg to return $2,217 per head.
Hillside Grazing, Springsure, sold Santa Gertrudis/Angus feeder steers for 510c/kg, weighing 433kg to return $2,213 per head.
D & A Cox, Alpha, sold Brahman feeder steers for 440c/kg, weighing 404kg to return $1,777 per head.
Hillside Grazing, Springsure, sold Santa Gertrudis/Angus feeder heifers for 412c/kg, weighing 416kg to return $1,717 per head.
D & L Keene, Gindie, sold Euro X heifers for 412c/kg, weighing 384kg to return $1,584 per head.
W & D Hogan, Springsure, sold Euro X steers for 526c/kg weighing 265kg to return $1,397 per head. They also sold heifers for 410c/kg, weighing 217kg to return $1,113 per head.