EMERALD CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT – THURSDAY 20TH MARCH 2025

Rain for the second week in a row played a part in reducing numbers as agents presented a yarding of 1,217 head for this week’s combined Emerald sale. Quality and consistency was mixed throughout and once again there were only limited lines or runs of stock in any one given class or category. The processing sector was well represented and again most operated on limited numbers of stock suitable for slaughter, genuine feeders were again scarce and in a roll reversal, processors were competing against feeder buyers on any of the better finished lots male or female. In the weaner and yearling classes heading back to grass buyers remain selective albeit it was a fairly mixed offering with most being made up of small lots in vary breeds and little consistency. The market for the most part was either side of firm however feedlot competition was subdued in line with current over supply.

Bullocks were too few to quote selling to 341c. The best cows made to 280c, those over 520kg averaged 267c back 4c, and cows 450-520kg average 264c firm, cows under 450kg were too few to accurately quote. Heifers over 400kg in much better numbers this week made to 318c to average 298c, up 29c on last sale. Bulls made to 287c to average 262c.

Feeder steers over 400kg sold to 334c to average 309c firm, steers 350-400kg again in small numbers topped at 364c to average 308c up 4c, steers 280-350kg in better supply but very mixed in quality and breed shown in the results with a high of 402c and average of 305c, steers 200-280kg in similar numbers to last week topped out on occasion at 432c to average 342c, steers under 200kg of 1 pen made 378c.

Feeder heifers 350-400kg short numbers, peaked at 280c to average 256c back 9c, heifers 280-350kg in better numbers made to 288c to average 264c firm, heifers 200-280kg sold well with a slight improvement in quality sold to a high of 298c to average 269c up 24c, heifers under 200kg of much better quality this week found solid competition with a top of 270c to average 266c.

1 pen of 3 x 2 cows & calves made $840 and a single unit made $620.