Cattle Market Summary – 7 May 2026

by | May 7, 2026 | Feedlots, Processing, Sheep

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Cattle markets showed generally firm to stronger trends across most eastern states, with reduced supply in key centres, improved buyer confidence, and strong competition supporting prices—particularly for well-bred yearlings, feeders, and heavy cows—while some secondary and lighter cattle remained more variable depending on quality and competition.

The trends appear to be:

  • Supply mixed overall, with reduced numbers in parts of QLD and SA, and increased yardings in some NSW and VIC centres
  • Buyer demand generally stronger, with increased competition lifting most categories in many sales
  • Restocker cattle mixed, but strong in NSW and selected QLD centres where quality improved
  • Feeder and trade cattle mostly firm to dearer, especially where quality and weight were suitable
  • Cows stronger overall in several markets, particularly heavy cows which saw notable gains
  • Market remains highly quality-driven, with clear premiums for well-bred and well-finished cattle

 

East Coast (QLD, NSW, VIC)

  • Overall firm to dearer market conditions, with widespread price gains supported by improved competition and better-quality yardings

  • QLD (generally stronger to firm):

    • Charters Towers (1,280 head) saw reduced yarding and mixed quality, but selective buying pushed prices higher across most categories, especially yearling and grown heifers and cows
    • Gracemere (2,241 head) recorded improved prices across most categories, supported by strong demand for well-bred cattle and notable gains in heavy cows
    • Dalby (6,735 head) saw a slightly reduced yarding with widespread price gains, led by strong rises in heifers and cows despite mixed buyer activity
    • Mareeba (144 head) saw a very light yarding where well-finished cows and bulls attracted strong top-end prices

Summary (QLD): Generally firm to stronger market, driven by reduced supply in some centres and strong demand for quality cattle, particularly cows and better heifers.

  • NSW (stronger overall tone):

    • Charters Towers (1,280 head) saw reduced yarding and mixed quality, but selective buying pushed prices higher across most categories, especially yearling and grown heifers and cows
    • Gracemere (2,241 head) recorded improved prices across most categories, supported by strong demand for well-bred cattle and notable gains in heavy cows
    • Dalby (6,735 head) saw a slightly reduced yarding with widespread price gains, led by strong rises in heifers and cows despite mixed buyer activity
    • Mareeba (144 head) saw a very light yarding where well-finished cows and bulls attracted strong top-end prices

Summary (NSW): Generally firm to stronger market, driven by reduced supply in some centres and strong demand for quality cattle, particularly cows and better heifers.

  • VIC (firm to mixed, but generally stronger tone):

    • Bairnsdale (384 head) saw stronger competition and improved prices across young cattle and cows
    • Ballarat (275 head) recorded firm to dearer trends overall, with strong gains in cows, bulls, and manufacturing steers despite weaker young cattle
    • Echuca (1,046 head) saw a selective but slightly stronger market, with modest gains in trade cattle and cows amid uneven demand

Summary (VIC): Generally firmer conditions, though outcomes remain highly variable depending on quality and buyer selectivity.

 

South Australia

  • Mixed to firm conditions across a small yarding base:

    • Mt Compass (584 head) saw easier yearling trends but strong competition lifted heavy cow prices sharply, with top cows rising significantly
    • Mt Gambier (245 head) recorded mixed results, with strong gains in grown heifers and cows despite weaker grown steers

Summary: Mixed but generally supported market, with strong cow demand offsetting softer trends in younger cattle

Western Australia

  • Insufficient detailed pricing data from Boyanup sales to determine clear trend direction

Summary: Watch the reports for the details

 

👉 See full sale reports and videos below

 

Cattle Marketplace Listings

Cattle marketplace listings

Cattle yardings & reports

Queensland
  • Dalby cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 6,735, (-170) Slightly reduced yarding saw widespread price gains, led by strong rises in heifers and cows, despite mixed buyer activity.  Full report available here.
  • CQLX Gracemere cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 2,241, (-615) Reduced yarding with mixed quality saw improved prices across most categories, driven by strong demand for well-bred cattle and notable gains in heavy cows. Full report available here.
  • Mareeba cattle report (Qld Rural) (5/5): Yarding: 144. Mareeba Combined Agents yarded 144 head this week. Isolated pens of well finished Cows and Bulls were on offer and attracted the top end of the market. Full report available here.
  • Charters Towers cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,280, (-908). Reduced yarding and mixed quality saw selective buying but overall price improvements across most categories, particularly yearling heifers, grown heifers and cows. Full report available here.
  • Emerald cattle report (H&W) (5/5) View the latest report here.
New South Wales
  • Moss Vale cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,801, (-546) Reduced yarding with strong quality and buyer competition drove a much dearer market, highlighted by sharp gains in yearlings and cows lifting up to 30c/kg. Full report available here.
  • Silverdale cattle report (H&C): Yarding: 538. 538 cattle yarded; most categories held steady, with price gains for ox, young cattle, and light feeder steers, while heavy steers and feeder heifers remained unchanged. Full report available here.
  • Singleton cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,551, (+144).Increased yarding with strong quality weaners drove solid competition and price gains across most categories, particularly heavy cows, despite weaker restocker demand for lighter cows. Full report available here.
  • Casino cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,027, (+413). Increased yarding with fewer cows saw strong competition and dearer trends across most categories, highlighted by significant gains in weaners and a sharp lift in heavy cow prices. Full report available here.
  • Scone cattle report. Full report available here.
  • Gunnedah cattle report (DC) (5/5). View the latest report here
Victoria
  • Bairnsdale cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 384, (+185) Increased yarding with improved quality saw stronger competition for suitable young cattle and overall price gains, with grown cattle up 20–30c/kg and cows 10–20c/kg dearer despite selective buying. Full report available here.
  • CVLX Ballarat cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 275, (-79). Small, mostly plain-quality yarding saw firm to dearer trends overall, with strong gains in cows, bulls and manufacturing steers, while young cattle eased due to quality. Full report available here.
  • Echuca cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 1,046, (+196) Increased yarding of store types saw a patchy, selective market with modest gains in trade cattle and cows, while overall demand remained uneven. Full report available here.
  • GVLX Shepparton cattle report here.
  • NVLX Wodonga cattle report (RLX) (5/5). Watch the latest report here.
  • EVLX Koonwarra cattle report (RLX) (5/5). Watch the latest report here.
South Australia 
  • Mt Gambier cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 245, (+53). Slightly larger yarding with improved quality saw mixed trends, highlighted by strong gains in grown heifers and cows despite softer results for grown steers. Full report available here.
  • Mt Compass cattle report (MLA): Yarding: 584, (+51). Similar yarding with mixed quality saw easier yearling trends but strong competition lifted heavy cow prices sharply, with top cows rising up to 60c/kg. Full report available here.
  • Naracoorte cattle report (Elders) (5/5). View the latest report here.
Western Australia
Tasmania
  • No Reports