Andy Watson operates a 600-cow EU-accredited self-replacing herd at Bungowannah, just west of Albury and across the river from the Barnawartha Saleyards. Despite his proximity to physical selling centres, Mr Watson has chosen to market his cattle through AuctionsPlus for more than 15 years. 

With the selling-off of cattle from northern NSW and southeast Queensland, and plenty heading south, Angus Brown looks into the appetite for restocking in higher rainfall zones of South Australia, Victoria and southern NSW.

The role of northern NSW at a demand level may prove to be critical for Spring 2026 pricing if seasonal conditions can improve, writes Ripley Atkinson.

The weather pattern is rather complex for eastern Australia with a developing upper level trough and cold pool, with broadscale easterly winds feeding moisture into this feature, leading to higher rainfall chances developing over a large region. But the open question will remain through the weekend, where does the best of the wet weather fall? It's bonus rainfall in a developing drought year.