Mortlake Store Cattle Report

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Report Date: 21st May 2026

Total Yarding: 4,934

Commentary

Agents penned 4,934 head, with the yarding predominantly Angus bred steers and heifers, along with a smaller offering of coloured breeds. Quality was generally very good across all weight categories. A regular field of buyers attended and operated actively, including local restockers and processors along with buyers from South Australia and Northern Victoria, accompanied by a large gallery of onlookers. Buyer confidence was evident from the opening of the sale, with heavy grown steers selling up to 10c/kg dearer. Strong competition continued throughout the market, with lighter steers improving by 15c to 35c/kg. A pen of light weaner steers weighing 177kg topped the sale at 675c/kg. Grown heifers sold 20c to 30c/kg stronger, while weaner heifers recorded the largest gains, improving by 30c to 60c/kg, with a pen weighing 146kg sold to 600c/kg.

Heavy grown steers sold from 494c to 565c/kg, averaging 538c/kg, with prices topping at $3,098 to average $2,592/head. Yearling steers made from 490c to 580c/kg, averaging between 530c and 550c/kg, and sold to a top of $2,830, averaging $1,949/head. Heavy weaner steers sold from 520c to 624c/kg, topping at $2,152 and averaging $1,989/head, while lighter weaner steers made from 570c to 675c/kg, topping at $1,724/head. Coloured bred steers, including Herefords, Black Baldy’s and Euro-cross cattle, sold from 436c to 566c/kg depending on quality.

Grown and yearling heifers were keenly sought by feeders and processors, selling from 440c to 520c/kg and topping at $2,565 to average $2,269/head. Lighter heifers made from 420c to 512c/kg, averaging around $1,630/head. Competition intensified for weaner heifers, with heavy weights over 280kg selling from 472c to 528c/kg, while lighter weights made from 460c to 600c/kg, topping at just over $2,000/head. Coloured bred heifers sold from 400c to 511c/kg, again depending on quality.

Market Reporter: Sheona Lamb