Naracoorte Cattle Report

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Report Date: 13th May 2025

Total Yarding: 1,127

Commentary

Numbers increased again to 1127 cattle as conditions remain extremely dry. The bulk of the yarding was in plain store like condition, with only a few pens of genuine prime cattle in each agents run. Of note was a lot of grown heifers being sold rather than being kept as replacements. There was also some secondary lines of pastoral type cattle. Prices rolled back further by around 10c to 20c/kg, but the verdict was the market had held together reasonably well as processors become more selective with big numbers around them.

The best yearling trade cattle showing some muscle shape and good fat cover from 365c to 390c/kg for most, with just a couple of single animals higher to a market top of 400c/kg. Best black feeder steers with weight to 388c/kg. After this a blanket range of 310c to 360c/kg covered the majority of the mixed young cattle that showed reasonable quality and had some condition, selling to processor, restocking and feeder support. Plainer heifers which lacked style and weight did drop down into a range of 240c to 290c/kg lwt.

Not many heavy grown steers were available, a stand-out fed Charolais topping at 386c/kg and with most sales in a range of 345c to 370c/kg lwt. This was a similar outcome to the grown heifers at 343c to 365c/kg, with the heifers generally offering processors more fat cover across the sale.

The yarding included 384 cows and auctioneers were unable to entice exporters above 300c/kg today. The main run of Angus, Hereford and Euro-cross cows still in fresh condition from 272c to a top of 298c/kg lwt. Cows with less fat cover in score 2 condition from 238c to 288c/kg. There was odd secondary cows from 180c to 240c/kg.

Market reporter: Jenny Kelly