Key points:
- Cattle slaughter and yardings continue to be impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
- A rejuvenated interest in the restocker market has been driven by the return of domestic processors.
- Despite sheep slaughter easing, combined sheep and lamb slaughter remained just below 700,000 head processed.
Cattle market
The cattle market has been generally positive except for the Restocker Yearling Heifer Indicator. Yardings experienced a significant reduction of 31,624 to 43,942 head. This reduction is largely due to the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and New England producers holding onto cattle in the hopes for rainfall.
Due to weaker overall supply, there were some lifts in cattle prices. Strong export market competition drove a 25¢ lift in the Dairy Cow Indicator to total 242¢/kg liveweight (lwt). Prices increased in all states, with Victorian prices lifting a notable 27¢.
At Wagga, producers were optimistic about rainfall from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, resulting in a price lift of 18¢ for the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator. Nationally, prices lifted by 11¢ to 364¢/kg lwt. A rejuvenated interest in the restocker market has been driven by the return of domestic processors.
Sheep market
With the return of domestic processors back onto the rail, there has been greater interest in trade lambs. This has led to a 9¢ lift for the Trade Lamb Indicator to 795¢/kg carcase weight (cwt). Prices eased in most states, noting a1¢ drop in Victoria and a 8¢ lift in NSW.
Market reports noted a reduced number of heavy lambs, particularly those over 30kg. An increased supply of lighter lambs drove prices down by 17¢ to 729¢/kg cwt.
Slaughter
Week ending 7 March 2025
Cattle slaughter eased by 14,116 to 133,017 head, largely caused by significant reductions in Queensland (13,967 head) – processors shut down due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Slaughter in NSW (154 head), SA (15 head) and Victoria (405 head) remained stable, only lifting slightly.
Combined sheep and lamb slaughter eased by 25,618 to 699,627 head, and sheep slaughter eased by 13, 756 to 205,728 head. This drop was driven by slower Victorian (5,374 head) and WA (11,758 head) slaughter. However, NSW slaughter lifted by 2,634 head and sheep slaughter remains 1.4% above slaughter compared to the same time last year.
Lamb slaughter eased by 11,862 to 493,899 head. Despite slaughter easing, capacity continues to hover at around 500,000 head a week. The reduction was driven by easing in NSW (3,685 head), Victoria (1,484 head) and WA (6,427 head). Lamb slaughter remained positive in Queensland (17 head) and SA (705 head) remained positive.
Attribute content to Emily Tan, MLA Market Information Analyst
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