EMERALD CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT – THURSDAY 19TH MARCH 2026
Emerald combined agents yarded 3,181 head at this week’s Prime and Store Sale, with cattle drawn from all local areas. The store market remained firm on previous weeks, while the prime market softened slightly. Heavy bulls reached a top of 410c/kg to average 372c/kg. Bullocks produced solid results for the quality yarded, topping at 447c/kg to average 433c/kg. Cows over 520kg sold to 384c/kg, averaging 364c/kg, which is back roughly 10c/kg on the previous sale, while secondary cows also softened slightly to average 354c/kg. Prime heifers reached a high of 456c/kg and averaged 392c/kg, reflecting a softer average but a lift in the top price. Genuine 400-500kg feeder steers topped at 480c/kg to average 444c/kg, while lighter 350-400kg steers reached 550c/kg to also average 442c/kg. Feeder heifers in the 350–400kg range topped at 436c/kg to average 395c/kg, with the market holding firm in this category. Weaner steers with weight sold to a top of 598c/kg to average 517c/kg, while lighter steers 200-280kg also topped at 598c/kg to average 525c/kg, showing a firm rise across both categories this week. Weaner heifers weighing 280-350kg topped at 450c/kg to average 380c/kg, while lighter heifers reached 450c/kg to average 380c/kg, indicating a solid lift. With only limited cows and calves on offer, the best reached $2,200 to average $1,750.
| CATEGORY | WEIGHT RANGE | MIN c/kg | AVG c/kg | MAX c/kg |
| STEERS | Under 200kg | 598 | 598 | 598 |
| 200-280kg | 330 | 525 | 598 | |
| 280-350kg | 300 | 517 | 598 | |
| 350-400kg | 350 | 442 | 550 | |
| 400-500kg | 332 | 444 | 480 | |
| Over 500kg | 388 | 433 | 447 | |
| HEIFERS | Under 200kg | 250 | 385 | 412 |
| 200-280kg | 151 | 380 | 450 | |
| 280-350kg | 80 | 377 | 452 | |
| 350-400kg | 319 | 395 | 436 | |
| Over 400kg | 280 | 392 | 456 | |
| COWS | 300-400kg | 60 | 223 | 298 |
| 400-450kg | 300 | 331 | 350 | |
| 450-520kg | 150 | 354 | 378 | |
| Over 520kg | 300 | 356 | 399 | |
| BULLS | Up to 450kg | 340 | 340 | 342 |
| 450-600kg | 178 | 356 | 399 | |
| Over 600kg | 280 | 372 | 410 | |
| Cows & Calves | $1,120 | $1,766 | $2,200 | |
Highlights
D & D Priddle, Rolleston sold a run of 103 Droughtmaster cross backgrounder heifers to a top of 280c/kg, weighing 347kg, to return $1,321 per head.
K.T & P Donaldson, Capella sold prime heifers to a top of 394c/kg, weighing 508kg, to return $2,003 per head.
R. Barrett, ‘Rubyvale’ sold prime Charbray heifers to a top of 446x/kg, weighing 480kg, to return $2,144 per head.
M.A Bedford & A Bedford, Emerald sold Brangus heifers to a top of 418c/kg, averaging $1,885 per head, and sold cows to 376c/kg, weighing 690kg, to return $2,595 per head.
Togara Enterprises, Comet sold heavy Santa cows to a top of 368c/kg, weighing 638kg, to return $2,349 per head.
Tanyar Cattle Co, Blackwater sold Droughtmaster cows to a top of 376c/kg, weighing 662kg, to return $2,490 per head.
Bettafield Framing, Gindie sold Charbray prime heifers to a top of 410c/kg, weighing 560kg, to return $2,296 per head.