Previous Close Cattle Markets Summary
Cattle markets strengthened sharply across most states, with rain-reduced yardings and renewed buyer confidence driving strong competition for feeder cattle, restockers and cows.
The trends appear to be:
- Supply significantly lower in NSW and QLD due to widespread rainfall
- Strong feeder and restocker demand lifting prices across most categories
- Cow markets sharply dearer in many centres
- Quality weaners and yearlings attracting aggressive competition
- Store cattle markets particularly strong on renewed seasonal confidence
- Buyer optimism improving across most eastern states
East Coast (QLD, NSW, VIC)
Overall strong and dearer market, with reduced supply and improved seasonal conditions boosting competition
QLD markets strengthened:
- Blackall saw feeder steers, grown cattle and cows lift by up to 20c/kg despite lower yardings
- Charters Towers reported stronger prices across all categories, including bullocks, heifers, cows and bulls, due to limited quality supply and solid competition
NSW markets recorded widespread gains:
- Armidale saw a much stronger market, led by sharply dearer cows and improved restocker demand
- Yass lifted 20–40c/kg across most categories on stronger feeder and restocker competition
- Dubbo recorded broad gains of 20–35c/kg as rain sharply reduced supply and intensified competition for feeders, restockers and cows
VIC store markets were exceptionally strong:
- Koonwarra saw excellent quality cattle and renewed buyer optimism lift weaners and yearling heifers by $50–$150/head
- Mortlake’s large Angus-dominated yarding sold to very strong competition, with most steer and heifer categories lifting 15–60c/kg
Summary: Rain-reduced supply, stronger seasonal confidence and aggressive feeder and restocker demand drove a sharply dearer cattle market across most eastern states.
Western Australia
Mount Barker (1,091 head) saw:
- Stronger demand for heavier young cattle and trade stock
- Lighter weaners and heavy cows easing slightly from recent highs
Summary:Â WA markets remained generally firm, with stronger competition for quality young cattle offsetting some easing in lighter weaner and heavy cow categories.
👉 See full sale reports and videos below
Cattle yardings & reports
Queensland
- Charters Towers cattle report (QR) (20/5): Yarding: 1,998. Charters Towers Combined Agents yarded 1,998 cattle, with limited supply of quality prime stock driving stronger prices across all categories, including bullocks (+20c), heifers (+25c), cows (+25c), and bulls (+20c) compared to last week. Full report available here.
- Blackall cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,220, (-580). Rain reduced Blackall numbers to 1,200 head, with stronger buyer competition lifting feeder steers, grown cattle, and cows by up to 20c/kg. Full report available here.
- CQLX Gracemere cattle report (Elders) (20/5) View the latest report here
- Dalby cattle report
New South Wales
- Armidale cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 984, (-811). Armidale cattle numbers nearly halved to 984 head, with a stronger market led by significantly dearer cows and improved restocker demand. Full report available here.
- SELX Yass cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,220, (-192). Reduced numbers and improved quality lifted the cattle market 20–40c/kg, driven by strong feeder and restocker demand and sharply dearer cows. Full report available here.
- Dubbo cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 2,455, (-3,645). Rain reduced yardings to 2,455 head, while stronger competition lifted most cattle categories 20–35c/kg, led by feeders, restockers, and cows. Full report available here.
Victoria
- EVLX Koonwarra store cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 2,836, (+391). A larger 2,840-head yarding with excellent quality and renewed buyer optimism drove strong competition, with weaners and yearling heifers selling $50–$150/head dearer. Full report available here.Â
- WVLX Mortlake store cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 4,934, (+4,214). Strong buyer confidence and competition across a quality 4,934-head Angus-dominated yarding lifted most steer and heifer categories by 15–60c/kg. Full report available here.
South AustraliaÂ
- No Reports
Western Australia
- Mount Barker cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,091, (+260). Mt Barker cattle numbers lifted to 1,091 head, with stronger demand for heavier young and trade cattle while lighter weaners and heavy cows eased from last week’s highs. Full report available here.
Tasmania
- No Reports