Clearance rates climb in Q3 as dry conditions shape national throughput

With the third quarter of commercial cattle sales now complete, AuctionsPlus has released the latest results. In a period defined by tightening supply and widespread dry conditions in the nation's south, buyer demand remained resilient, driving higher clearance rates and strong competition across key regions. This quarter, we take a look at which regions were most active in listing commercial cattle and sheep on the platform.

Cattle: Western Queensland more than doubles throughput over Q3

In the cattle market, listings softened from the previous quarter, with 168,143 head offered on AuctionsPlus. The reduced supply intensified buyer competition, lifting the national clearance rate to 89%, up sharply from 77% in the previous quarter.

This was the strongest clearance performance of the year to date, underpinned by steady restocker confidence and a tightening national turnoff.

Source: AuctionsPlus

Compared with Q3 2024, Western Queensland’s total listings lifted by nearly 3,000 head. Meanwhile, Southern Queensland held steady in second position, while the NSW North West Slopes and Plains climbed to third, posting a 59% rise in listings and an average clearance of 93%.

Central Queensland also improved notably, lifting seven places from last quarter with a 55% increase in listings, led by Droughtmaster steers (200–280kg), which cleared 98% of offerings.

Source: AuctionsPlus

In comparison to the same time last year, Western Queensland offerings lifted by nearly 3,000 head, with Angus steers weighing 200-280kg the most commonly listed article. This year, Santa Gertrudis steers weighing 200-280kg were the commonly listed article from the top listing region over the quarter. 

The top delivery towns of Winton (4,679 head, 99% clearance), Muttaburra (3,521 head, 95%), and Longreach (2,773 head, 98%) were standout contributors, reflecting Western Queensland’s dominance this quarter.

This may be due to the excellent seasonal conditions in Western Queensland early in the growing season, which encouraged large numbers of young cattle to move north from the dry southern regions.

Southern Queensland remained consistent in second position, while the NSW North West Slopes and Plains climbed to third, with listings rising 59% and clearance rates averaging 93%.

Meanwhile, the north west Slopes and Plains jumped three positions to third spot, with Angus heifers weighing 330-400kg the most commonly listed article.

Activity from Central Queensland lifted this quarter, lifting the region up seven positions from last quarter with listing volumes increasing for 55%. Droughtmaster steers weighing 200-280kg were the most listed article, with listings clearing 98% of all offerings. 

Sheep: Riverina dominates national throughput as dry weather fuels early turnoff

Extremely dry conditions across many of Australia’s major sheep-producing regions shaped the Q3 2025 market, tightening supply and fuelling strong competition across all categories. While overall throughput surged 31% from Q2 to 779,491 head, the increase was largely driven by the flush of new season lambs entering the market late in the quarter.

Despite broader supply constraints, buyer sentiment remained exceptionally strong, pushing the national clearance rate to 85%, up from 81% in Q2. This was underpinned by robust restocker and feeder demand, particularly for Merino wether and composite lamb lines.

Prices for restocker lambs reached new highs on the platform, with several categories achieving record returns for the year. This trend was mirrored across both physical and online saleyards, where limited availability and solid demand combined to deliver historic price benchmarks.

Source: AuctionsPlus

The NSW Riverina region dominated listings with dry conditions pushing vendors to turn off large volumes, which accounted for nearly a quarter of all national listings. The region recorded 182,000 head listed, a 388% increase on Q2, with a 92% clearance rate.

This was an increase of more than 50,000 on the same time last year out of the Riverina. Key delivery towns included Hay, Ivanhoe, and Oxley, all clearing above 95% of stock offered. Merino wether lambs and crossbred store lambs were the most commonly listed articles, reflecting both destocking decisions and restocker demand.

Central Western NSW and Western NSW followed in second and third respectively, each showing triple-digit growth in listings and strong clearance rates for Merino and crossbred lambs.

Notably, Lower South East SA and the Riverland and Mallee regions also recorded substantial increases in listings through Q3. However, these gains were largely driven by extremely dry conditions across South Australia, where tightening feed supplies prompted earlier-than-usual turnoff.