The BOM declared August as the hottest on record, for Northern East Coast producers it created ideal fattening conditions and allowed unimpaired movement of stock. South Australian and Western Victorian producers are desperate for rain to resuscitate their season hopes.
Strong supply from the paddock and some absences from the
buying field at the rail put downward pressure on prices. Growers were looking
to cash in on the recent price rises with the supply increases coming from
northern NSW and QLD saleyards. As a result, Roma and Dubbo had the two largest
yardings with an increase week on week of 19% and 27% respectively.
The Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) fell 2% (17
c/kg) to 669 ¢/kg on the back of a 9% increase in yardings for the indicator. Restocker
heifers and steers bucked the supply surge trend, with yardings for the females
falling 15% and 29% for the male’s week on week. The value of the indicators was
flat with 1% gains in both; heifers closed the week at 293 ¢/kg and males at
369 ¢/kg.
The Western Young Cattle indicator (WYCI) rose 3%, pushing
it above the $6/kg tide mark, closing the week at 602 ¢/kg. Like the restockers,
it didn’t follow the major supply trend of the market with yardings falling 33%
on the week prior. The west discount to the east fell from 15% to 10% this week
Processor cows were down 3% in value with an 18% rise in
yardings week on week. The indicator closed the selling week at 288 ¢/kg, with
a total of 9k head being sold. Dubbo was the largest contributor to the
indicator with 16% of the yardings. Leongatha had the highest average price for
the selling week at 325 ¢/kg or a 16% premium to the average.
Slaughter levels for the week prior were flat week on week,
with total slaughter at 140k head per week. It was the 6th highest
volume week of slaughter on the East Coast for the year. A level that is 22%
above the 5-year average and 11% higher than the same week last year.
Initial yardings data for the week reported by the NRLS show
an increase of 8% week on week, to a total of 58.7k. Compared to the same
selling week last year this is an increase of 57%.
Next week
With only 111 days until Christmas, the 100-day article from feedlots are now falling in the Christmas shutdown period for processors, this will result in less intensity in the buying field up north as feedlots will time the shutdown with what they commit to.
There were just minor changes to the national saleyard indicators this week as public holidays interfered with business-as-usual sales. The big drop in numbers and
Australian cattle slaughter is expected to hit its highest level since 1978 in 2026, having already hit that mark for the 2025-26 financial year. Female
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) released their Australian Cattle Industry Projections last week, and like any forecasts, they can become out of date relatively quickly.
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Hot August sees supply build in September
Strong supply from the paddock and some absences from the buying field at the rail put downward pressure on prices. Growers were looking to cash in on the recent price rises with the supply increases coming from northern NSW and QLD saleyards. As a result, Roma and Dubbo had the two largest yardings with an increase week on week of 19% and 27% respectively.
The Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) fell 2% (17 c/kg) to 669 ¢/kg on the back of a 9% increase in yardings for the indicator. Restocker heifers and steers bucked the supply surge trend, with yardings for the females falling 15% and 29% for the male’s week on week. The value of the indicators was flat with 1% gains in both; heifers closed the week at 293 ¢/kg and males at 369 ¢/kg.
The Western Young Cattle indicator (WYCI) rose 3%, pushing it above the $6/kg tide mark, closing the week at 602 ¢/kg. Like the restockers, it didn’t follow the major supply trend of the market with yardings falling 33% on the week prior. The west discount to the east fell from 15% to 10% this week
Processor cows were down 3% in value with an 18% rise in yardings week on week. The indicator closed the selling week at 288 ¢/kg, with a total of 9k head being sold. Dubbo was the largest contributor to the indicator with 16% of the yardings. Leongatha had the highest average price for the selling week at 325 ¢/kg or a 16% premium to the average.
Slaughter levels for the week prior were flat week on week, with total slaughter at 140k head per week. It was the 6th highest volume week of slaughter on the East Coast for the year. A level that is 22% above the 5-year average and 11% higher than the same week last year.
Initial yardings data for the week reported by the NRLS show an increase of 8% week on week, to a total of 58.7k. Compared to the same selling week last year this is an increase of 57%.
Next week
With only 111 days until Christmas, the 100-day article from feedlots are now falling in the Christmas shutdown period for processors, this will result in less intensity in the buying field up north as feedlots will time the shutdown with what they commit to.
Have any questions or comments?
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Data sources: MLA, BOM, Mecardo
Categories
Have any questions or comments?
Northern rain and the cost of freight
The forecast is looking promising for vast parts of Queensland and Northern NSW for the coming week. If you are looking for rain, of course.
Rain and holidays halt young cattle slide
There were just minor changes to the national saleyard indicators this week as public holidays interfered with business-as-usual sales. The big drop in numbers and
Queensland supply surge now shot?
Australian cattle slaughter is expected to hit its highest level since 1978 in 2026, having already hit that mark for the 2025-26 financial year. Female
Projecting the herd to decline
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) released their Australian Cattle Industry Projections last week, and like any forecasts, they can become out of date relatively quickly.
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Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
MEET THE TEAM
Our team of market analysts are recognised as leaders in Australian Ag market analysis, providing invaluable insights to help you navigate the ever-changing commodity landscape.
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We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.