Weekly Cattle Market Report

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Cattle Market reports

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Weekly Cattle Market Report

2:17

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle market for the week ending Friday, January 23, delivered a larger offering and a steadier overall market tone. The biggest listing-driven changes this week were clearly felt in the lighter cattle categories, with light steers and light heifers showing the strongest price improvement and solid clearance.

Week ending Friday, January 23

Total commercial cattle offerings lifted to 14,419 head, up 31% week-on-week, reflecting a strong lift in supply coming onto the platform. Even with the larger offering, demand remained active, and the weekly VOR (amount over reserve) improved to $76/head, up $3/head, showing buyers were still prepared to stretch for well-bred, well-presented lines.

The AYCI eased to 940 c/kg DW, down 7c/kg DW week-on-week. While this is a modest correction, the indicator remains historically strong, sitting well above long-term levels that producers would recognise as “average” market conditions. The current reading continues to signal that young cattle values are holding at a premium in the broader cycle, even as supply builds and the market takes a breather.

Clearance rate softened this week as the larger offering met more selective purchasing. This result points to a market that is still operating with confidence, but one where buyers are being more price-sensitive and reserving their strongest bids for cattle that fit processor and feeder specifications.

The greatest shifts this week in terms of price were weight specific, with lighter lines clearing well, and softening across the heavier categories. Steers weighing under 200kg averaged 599c/kg DW, lifting 26c/kg DW, with a 100% clearance. Meanwhile, Steers 280–330kg averaged 512 c/kg DW, back 27 c/kg DW, with clearance at 41%, indicating buyers were more selective through the midweight steer run.

Heifers experienced a similar result to the steers, with the lighter end improving while mid and heavier weights eased. Heifers under 200kg averaged 447c/kg DW, lifting 85c/kg DW, with clearance at 54%, marking one of the strongest price improvements of the week. Meanwhile, heavier heifers weighing 400kg+ averaged 440c/kg DW, down 5c/kg DW, though clearance was firmer at 83%, suggesting fewer, better-suited lines sold well.

Processors accounted for 8% of all purchases made.

Highlights

Weekly Market Price Tables

Prices in the table and the indicators are subject to change due to post auctions sales.
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Week ending Friday, January 16

AuctionsPlus commercial cattle supply has picked up for the second week of the year, with 10,857 head offered, up 119% week-on-week.

The larger offering created more buying opportunities across regions and categories, and while clearance softened, the market continued to show encouraging underlying demand for well-presented young cattle.

The AuctionsPlus Young Cattle Indicator (AYCI) closed at 961c/kg DW, back 15c/kg DW week-on-week. Despite the slight easing, the AYCI remains historically strong, sitting in the top 25% of all weeks. Buyer confidence remained evident through improved bidding above reserve, with VOR rising to $91/head, up $3 on the week.

Positive price momentum was still evident across key young cattle categories, led by 280–330kg steers, which averaged $1,630/head, lifting $102 week-on-week.

In the heifer market, those weighing 200–280kg averaged $1,246/head, while 280–330kg heifers averaged $1,341/head, up $42 from last week. Heavier heifers continued to strengthen, with 330–400kg heifers averaging $1,691/head, and 400kg+ heifers rising to $1,891/head, highlighting solid buyer support for well-finished females suited to both feeding and breeding programs.

Processors accounted for 9% of all purchases made. Heifers weighing between 280-400kg were in high demand.

Highlights

From Tenterfield, NSW, a line of 108 Angus steers aged 9 to 11 months old and weighing 300kg returned $1,810/head, or 604c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Pullenvale, QLD.

From Warren, NSW, a line of 71 Angus steers aged 4 to 6 months old and weighing 194kg returned $1,170/head, or 602c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Tara, QLD.

Week ending Friday, January 9

The first full selling week of 2026 has begun much as 2025 ended, with tight supply, selective buying and resilient young cattle prices. A total of 4,895 head were listed for the week ending Friday, January 9. Clearance finished at 60%, which is broadly consistent with late-December results and reflective of cautious early-season buyer behaviour.

Steer supply was led by heavier lines, with steers over 400kg accounting for more than 1,000 head and clearing 59%, averaging 505c/kg DW. Steers weighing between 330–400kg averaged 533c/kg DW, while lighter steers between 200–280kg were keenly sought, achieving a 100% clearance and averaging 561c/kg DW, highlighting ongoing competition for well-bred young cattle suitable for backgrounding. Heifer trends were similar, with lighter weight categories showing improved buyer interest and firmer pricing compared to heavier types.

Breeding stock numbers remained limited, particularly in cows and calves, with clearance varying widely by category. PTIC cows averaged $2,759/head with modest clearance, while PTIC heifers averaged $2,765/head, reflecting selective demand rather than broad-based competition.

The AuctionsPlus Young Cattle Indicator (AYCI) lifted to 987c/kg DW, finishing in the top quartile of historical performance. This improvement reinforces the underlying strength in young cattle values despite lower clearance rates and subdued volumes, suggesting that price resilience remains a feature of the market. Value Over Reserve (VOR) averaged $111/head, indicating that when cattle did sell, they often exceeded vendor expectations.

Highlights

From Wingen, NSW, a line of 24 Angus steers aged 4 to 5 months old and weighing 181kg returned $1,180/head, or 654c/kg and will travel to a buyer in New England, NSW.

From Glen Innes, NSW, a line of 58 Angus steers aged 9 to 11 months old and weighing 228kg returned $1,355/head, or 595c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Millmerran, QLD.

From Guluguba, QLD, a line of 39 Angus/Droughtmaster steers aged 8 to 10 months old and weighing 261kg returned $1,450/head, or 555c/kg and will travel to a buyer in Maclagan, QLD.