New data from Meat & Livestock Australia’s July 2025 Beef Producers Intensions Survey showed 46 percent of Australian cattle producers sold fewer animals than planned in April, highlighting ongoing challenges facing the livestock industry in some regions.

One of the most common reasons for lower sales was that cattle weren’t ready. More than 40pc of producers said their cattle hadn’t reached sale weight, largely due to tough seasonal conditions, especially in southern regions. Limited pasture availability and rising feed costs meant many producers were forced to delay sales.

Weather and feed issues weren’t the only contributing factors. Anticipation of better market conditions was also given as a reason producers held onto cattle. About 21pc chose to delay selling because they believed prices would improve, while another 17pc reported that prices at the time weren’t strong enough to justify selling.

Meanwhile, 14pc of producers had fewer cattle to sell than expected – a flow-on effect of earlier production decisions and seasonal impacts.

The data also showed that while a significant portion sold less, 21pc of producers sold more cattle than planned. The main reason for this (33pc) was to reduce animal feeding costs over longer periods. Others (29pc) were prompted by weather to bring sales forward, while 25pc said prices were stronger than expected and 21pc needed to generate cash flow.

A small portion (12pc) had more cattle to sell due to higher-than-expected production, particularly those in the northern Australia.

A total of 33pc of producers reported their sales matched expectations.

This snapshot reveals the variety of producer experiences in 2025. While some are reacting to short-term seasonal and market pressures, others are making longer-term strategic decisions based on price forecasts and production cycles. The data also highlights the impact of weather and input costs (particularly feed) on national producer behaviour.

As the year progresses, producers’ management of weight gain, market timing and cash flow will remain key to navigating ongoing uncertainty.

As part of MLA’s Beef Producers Intentions Survey, producers who completed the April 2025 survey are invited to complete the new online survey. The July wave aims to assess producers’ 12-month intentions, estimate the autumn calf drop and expected sales.

Source: MLA