Cattle Market Summary – 8 May 2026

by | May 8, 2026 | Feedlots, Processing, Sheep

Previous Close Cattle Markets Summary

Cattle markets showed generally firm to stronger trends nationally, with reduced yardings in several key centres and stronger buyer competition supporting prices across most categories, particularly feeders, restockers, yearlings, and cows.

The trends appear to be:

  • Supply lower overall, particularly in VIC and QLD
  • Buyer demand stronger across most selling centres
  • Restocker and feeder competition improved significantly
  • Yearlings and weaners generally dearer, especially quality lines
  • Cows mostly firm to stronger, though isolated heavy cow categories eased
  • Market remains quality-driven, with well-bred and well-finished cattle attracting strong premiums

 

East Coast (QLD, NSW, VIC)

  • Firm to stronger market overall, with reduced supply and improved competition driving widespread gains across most categories

  • QLD (firm to stronger):

    • Blackall (1,800 head) saw reduced numbers but stronger competition lift prices across most categories, especially restocker steers, heifers, and heavy cows

Summary (QLD): Stronger market tone overall, with active restocker and feeder demand supporting prices despite lower supply

  • NSW (stronger overall):

    • Armidale (2,210 head) recorded stronger competition and broad price gains, particularly for restocker cattle, yearlings, and cows
    • Yass (1,125 head) saw improved quality and stronger buyer demand lift all categories, led by weaners, feeder cattle, and cows
    • Dubbo (6,760 head) recorded firmer demand for feeder steers and cows, while grown cattle mostly held steady despite a smaller yarding

Summary (NSW): Strong market conditions continued, with widespread gains driven by improved competition and solid demand for feeders, restockers, and quality yearlings

  • VIC (firm to dearer):

    • Koonwarra store sale (2,125 head) saw improved quality and stronger competition push heavy yearling steers significantly dearer, while most other categories held firm
    • Mortlake store sale (720 head) recorded strong competition despite sharply reduced numbers, with most steer categories firm to dearer

Summary (VIC): Firm to stronger store cattle market, supported by reduced supply and active competition for quality steers.

 

Western Australia

  • Mount Barker (638 head) saw improved quality and stronger competition lift most weaner, yearling, and bull prices, while heavy cows eased slightly

Summary: Generally firmer market, particularly for younger cattle, though heavy cows softened slightly


👉 See full sale reports and videos below

 

Cattle Marketplace Listings

Cattle marketplace listings

Cattle yardings & reports

Queensland
  • Blackall cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,800, (-1,200) Blackall’s 1,800-head show sale saw stronger competition lift prices across most categories, particularly restocker steers, heifers, and heavy cows. Full report available here.
  • Emerald cattle report (GDL)  Watch the latest report here.
  • Dalby cattle report (ER) (6/5) View the latest report here.
  • CQLX Gracemere cattle report (Elders) (6/5)
New South Wales
  • Armidale cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 2,210, (-893) Armidale cattle numbers eased to 2,210 head, with stronger competition lifting prices across most categories, particularly restocker cattle, yearlings, and cows. Full report available here.
  • SELX Yass cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,125, (+245) Numbers and quality improved, with stronger demand lifting prices across all categories, particularly weaners, feeder cattle, and cows. Full report available here.
  • Dubbo cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 6,760, (-420)Despite a smaller 6,760-head yarding, stronger demand lifted feeder steers and cow prices, while grown cattle sold mostly firm. Full report available here.
  • IRLX Inverell cattle report (RLX) (5/5). Watch the latest report here
  • HRLX Singleton cattle report (BP&L) (6/5) Watch the latest report here
  • Armidale cattle report (APL) Watch the latest report here
Victoria
  • WVLX Mortlake store cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 720, (-5,280) Mortlake’s reduced 720-head yarding sold to strong competition, with most steer categories firm to dearer despite mixed quality and limited buyer numbers. Full report available here.
  • NVLX Wodonga store cattle report (RLX). Watch the latest report here.
  • EVLX Koonwarra store cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 2,125, (-348). Numbers eased by 350 head, with improved quality and stronger competition pushing heavy yearling steers significantly dearer while most other categories sold firm. Full report available here.
  • Echuca cattle report (Elders) (6/5). Watch the latest report here.
  • Bairnsdale cattle report (BW) (6/5) Watch the latest report here.
South Australia 
  • No Reports
Western Australia
  • Mount Barker cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 638, (+65) Mt Barker yarded 638 head, with improved quality and stronger competition lifting most weaner, yearling, and bull prices, while heavy cows eased slightly. Full report available here. 
Tasmania
  • No Reports