Australian Livestock Markets Show Mixed Trends
Australian Livestock Markets Mid-2025 Update: Lamb Prices Surge
The Australian livestock markets mid-2025 update shows mixed performance. While lamb prices hit record highs, cattle indicators softened amid shifting supply dynamics.
Cattle Market Trends
Cattle yardings rose by 5,240 head, bringing the current total to 61,316. This increase was largely driven by more processor cows, restocker heifers, and steers.
Meanwhile, the Heavy Steer Indicator slipped 18¢ to 364¢/kg liveweight (lwt). In Victoria, the drop was steeper, with a decline of 19¢, although Leongatha still reported a peak of 458¢/kg lwt.
In contrast, the Processor Cow Indicator rose 9¢ to 310¢/kg lwt, supported by strong demand for leaner cows, especially in Victoria where it jumped 23¢.
Winter conditions in parts of Australia are putting pressure on cattle quality. As a result, certain export and trade categories have seen softening prices.
Sheep Market Highlights
Sheep yardings expanded by 3,274 head to 255,334, with lamb yardings up 3,376 head.
The Trade Lamb Indicator jumped 77¢ to 1,148¢/kg carcase weight (cwt). Similarly, the Heavy Lamb Indicator gained 38¢ to 1,135¢/kg cwt.
Record-breaking prices were achieved in key markets: Wagga reported $441/head, and Bendigo hit $435/head, both with average carcase weights around 40–42kg. Notably, well-finished lambs outperformed, with 26–30kg lambs fetching $320–375/head.
Slaughter Volumes
National cattle slaughter declined by 5,981 head, totalling 153,008 head, although this remains 9% higher than the same week in 2024. Queensland contributed most to the decline.
Sheep and lamb slaughter also fell, dropping 14,788 head to 498,773, marking a 15% year-on-year decrease. South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria saw the largest reductions.
Original reporting by Meat & Livestock Australia. Full report available here
