FEEDER cattle prices are starting this week stronger than the past fortnight, as a shortage of cattle in the south continues to add more competition among the buyers in the north.

Most grids on the Darling Downs were up about 10c, with buyers this morning quoting 400kg+ flatback feeder steers out of the paddock between 380c-400c/kg. Angus prices are 100c dearer in most cases, with quotes of 480-490c/kg in both northern and southern programs.

Saleyard prices have also started the week strong, with one buyer telling Beef Central that some Angus feeders made 500c/kg at this morning’s Tamworth sale.

The shortage of Angus cattle is showing no signs of slowing down, with trucks taking cattle from Northern New South Wales and Queensland back down to feedlots in the dry areas further south.

Transport operators are being kept busy, with the longer trips taking trucks out of the system for a few more days than they ordinarily would.

Some feedlot operators in the south have been caught by surprise with “Angus” steers based on weight-for-age and traces of Bos Indicus content through Ultrabrack or soft Brangus bulls. Some buyers have been using the term “Queensland Angus” to differentiate the types of cattle.

As reported in the last feeder cattle market report, the rise in Angus price has dragged up prices in southern crossbred programs – with British cross cattle (no indicus) making about 430c/kg.

Meat & Livestock Australia’s saleyard-based feeder steer indicator opened this week at 418c/kg, which is 75c/kg dearer than this time last year.

The feeder steer indicator crossed 400c/kg for the first time in a couple of years at the end of last month and has been above that mark for the past three weeks. Southern prices are driving up that average, with NSW prices averaging 435c/kg at the start of this week and Qld at 392c.

Source: MLA NLRS saleyard indicators Monday 21 July 2025.  

Cattle continue to flow from the north

The feeder cattle market is still operating in two speeds of supply, with plenty of numbers coming forward in the north and numbers right down in the south.

Numbers have come back at the Wagga saleyards after it saw records yardings of more than 8000 head earlier this year. Wagga agents auctioned off about 3000 head this morning.

Qld saleyards, on the other hand, are busy – with 10,000 head booked in at Roma tomorrow for the second week in-a-row.

Some buyers who spoke to Beef Central this morning had one eye on the weather, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a west-to-east system to start bringing rain to New South Wales and Qld from tomorrow.

Most of the rain is expected to fall in Southern NSW and Victoria, with less forecast further north – however, it could be enough to create some logistical issues.