Updated Cattle Market Trends in Eastern States for 2026

As we kick off 2026, saleyards across the eastern states of Australia are experiencing a bustling start. However, recent market trends indicate a slight dip in prices, attributed to heatwave conditions impacting operations this past week.

Weekly Slaughter Figures and Yardings

This week has seen a rise in weekly slaughter numbers, with approximately 143,000 head processed compared to 140,000 at the same time last year. In contrast, national yardings for January have shown a slight decrease relative to the previous year, primarily resulting from heat-induced yarding reductions.

Heatwave Impacts on Operations

Several sales, including those at Mount Compass, Naracoorte, and Warwick, were cancelled due to the extreme heat, while participation at many other yards was reduced. Notably, the Wagga sale, crucial for national yarding statistics, also did not proceed because of the public holiday.

Large Yardings at Major Saleyards

Despite the setbacks, the initial weeks of January have demonstrated sizable yardings at larger saleyards throughout Queensland and New South Wales. Roma, for instance, recorded 4,600 head in its initial sale, followed by 7,300 and 7,400 in subsequent weeks. Dalby also experienced significant yardings with figures of 930, 5,400, and 7,300, though it was affected by a heatwave resulting in a yarding of 4,200.

Similarly, Dubbo hosted four sales with impressive numbers: 3,300, 8,040, 7,880, and a final yarding of 3,800 recently experiencing heat impacts.

Processor Adaptations to Heat Conditions

Interestingly, processing figures have remained stable, indicating resilience amid challenging conditions. One processor elaborated on several measures adopted to tackle the heat, including early morning cattle transport at around 4:30 AM and similar logistics at dusk to minimize heat stress on the livestock.

Year-End Review: 2025 Highlights

The busy commencement of the year follows a record yarding in December 2025. According to Meat & Livestock Australia’s national figures, 236,762 head were penned in December, a stark contrast to 164,573 the previous year. Notably, arenas in Northern NSW and Southern Queensland were pivotal to these numbers, with Roma and Dalby showcasing yardings surpassing 9,000 head, and Dubbo exceeding 10,000 for the first time on multiple occasions.

Market Indicators and Trends

The surge in cattle being sent to saleyards can be attributed to a robust market and drying conditions. As of now, major saleyard indicators indicate that we have started 2026 at similar levels to last year, with recent fluctuations noted. The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator has dropped 21 cents, settling at 840 cents per kilogram carcase weight. The National Young Cattle Indicator is now at 452 cents per kilogram, a decrease of 12 cents, while the Feeder Steer Indicator has also lost 7 cents, standing at 465 cents per kilogram.

As the year progresses, it will be essential to monitor how these dynamics evolve, particularly in response to weather conditions and market demand.