Prices tracked sideways as the trade waits in anticipation of some rainfall to reach the dry southern cattle regions.
Indicative NLRS yardings early Friday has supply 5% lower week on week but the drop in numbers likely wasn’t the driver for price this week. With slaughter demand continuing to hover at the current cycle heights it’s clear that processors are focussed on volume. The remaining ingredient for price upside to finish summer and start autumn with a bang is rainfall assisting the restockers.
All national indicators saw single digit improvement this week, restocker heifers improved 12c to 407c/kg lwt. The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) tracked sideways to 858c/kg cwt. Saleyard reports cited relatively calm reactions given some rain in the north. Export buyers in Dalby and Roma sat back a bit whilst buyers in Wagga were willing to send cattle north and south.
On Mecardo this week, Jamie Lee Oldfield breaks down government slaughter data and has a look at the supply platform ahead for beef productivity in Australia (read more here). 2025 total cattle slaughter increased to 26% above the average and was 12% higher than the previous year reaching 50 years high. At the same time we reached this volume achievement, gross value also improved dramatically with the December quarter in 2025 almost double as valuable as the December 2023 quarter. It’s been the good ole days but the platform for consistent production looks set in the medium term. Queensland’s total slaughter is only just catching back up to where it trended for most of the 2000s, meaning there is precedence for it to remain at those levels for the medium term.
The key will be ensuring consistent throughput and avoiding a rush of supply to the yards, which rainfall at the producer end should assist with.
The week ahead….
Rainfall reaction will give a clear indication if restockers in the south are ready to go in the short term. Numbers should be higher next week, which could take some steam out of the price upside. A big response might push stock out in the next fortnight that were scheduled to come out much later.
ABARES released their March 2026 Agricultural Commodities Report last week and have revised most major figures higher for the current financial year. Gross value of
Much like many paddocks across Australia after recent rains, the national cattle indicators are a sea of green. All categories rose from the previous week
Prices tracked sideways as the trade waits in anticipation of some rainfall to reach the dry southern cattle regions. Indicative NLRS yardings early Friday has
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.
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.
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.
Market steady as the south patiently waits it’s turn for a drink
Indicative NLRS yardings early Friday has supply 5% lower week on week but the drop in numbers likely wasn’t the driver for price this week. With slaughter demand continuing to hover at the current cycle heights it’s clear that processors are focussed on volume. The remaining ingredient for price upside to finish summer and start autumn with a bang is rainfall assisting the restockers.
All national indicators saw single digit improvement this week, restocker heifers improved 12c to 407c/kg lwt. The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) tracked sideways to 858c/kg cwt. Saleyard reports cited relatively calm reactions given some rain in the north. Export buyers in Dalby and Roma sat back a bit whilst buyers in Wagga were willing to send cattle north and south.
On Mecardo this week, Jamie Lee Oldfield breaks down government slaughter data and has a look at the supply platform ahead for beef productivity in Australia (read more here). 2025 total cattle slaughter increased to 26% above the average and was 12% higher than the previous year reaching 50 years high. At the same time we reached this volume achievement, gross value also improved dramatically with the December quarter in 2025 almost double as valuable as the December 2023 quarter. It’s been the good ole days but the platform for consistent production looks set in the medium term. Queensland’s total slaughter is only just catching back up to where it trended for most of the 2000s, meaning there is precedence for it to remain at those levels for the medium term.
The key will be ensuring consistent throughput and avoiding a rush of supply to the yards, which rainfall at the producer end should assist with.
The week ahead….
Rainfall reaction will give a clear indication if restockers in the south are ready to go in the short term. Numbers should be higher next week, which could take some steam out of the price upside. A big response might push stock out in the next fortnight that were scheduled to come out much later.
Have any questions or comments?
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Data sources: Mecardo; Meat and Livestock Australia; Bureau of Meteorology, Bloomberg
Categories
Have any questions or comments?
Beef sector to stay strong after sky-high year
ABARES released their March 2026 Agricultural Commodities Report last week and have revised most major figures higher for the current financial year. Gross value of
Water adds confidence to cattle
Much like many paddocks across Australia after recent rains, the national cattle indicators are a sea of green. All categories rose from the previous week
The rise of grain fed cattle continues
There is plenty going on in the world and locally which could move cattle markets. Ever rising tensions in the Middle East will have impacts
Market steady as the south patiently waits it’s turn for a drink
Prices tracked sideways as the trade waits in anticipation of some rainfall to reach the dry southern cattle regions. Indicative NLRS yardings early Friday has
Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks
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.
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE
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.