EMERALD CATTLE SALE MARKET REPORT – THURSDAY 22ND MAY 2025

Emerald agents offered 1,555 head for this week’s combined sale. Quality and presentation were very mixed in many classes which will play a part in some of the variances in the average prices shown below. Numbers of steers over 500kg to processors eased considerably, cow numbers and finish improved which reflected in the results, heifers over 400kg eased 10c perhaps in line with the change in presentation/quality and heavy bull prices continue to ease. The best of the feeder steers and heifers sold well, however anything just off the pace or plainer quality the prices continued to ease and there were hardly enough genuine weaners to quote.

Bullocks short numbers sold to about 314c to processors and peaked at 368c to feed to average 306c/kg up 14c, cows over 520kg made to 262c to average 251c/kg up 9c, cows 450-520kg peaked at 249c to average 243c/kg up 6c, cows under 450kg reached 248c the averages firm to easier on the plainer types, heifers over 400kg in similar numbers to last sale peaked at 297c to average 268c/kg back a further 10c, bulls over 600kg in small numbers reached 237c to average 220c/kg.

Steers 400-500kg sold to 372c with a more consistent line helped the average lift 26c to 334c/kg, steers 350-400kg numbers halved the best reached 370c to average 322c/kg back 17c with contributing factors playing their part, steers 280-350kg short numbers made to 400c to average 292c/kg back considerably and not a true reflection of the market, steers 200-280kg short numbers and consistency peaked at 418c to average 359c/kg, steers under 200kg not quoted.

Heifers 350-400kg were mixed in age, breed and quality to see the best top at 312c the average of 264c/kg was firm, heifers 280-350kg by far the biggest class of the day however was also very mixed in age and breed with a top of 312c to average 276c/kg close enough to firm, heifers 200-280kg also mixed sold to 286c to average 262c/kg back 23c, heifers under 200kg not quoted.

There was 1 heifer with a calf making $810 for the unit.