Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Late August 2025
Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Late August 2025
The Australian cattle and sheep market update August 2025 shows a mix of trends as the month closed. National yardings slipped, yet slaughter volumes remained strong, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia.
Cattle Market
Cattle prices strengthened across all indicators. Values increased between 2¢ and 13¢/kg liveweight during the week. National yardings fell 3% to 56,148 head, largely due to expected rainfall in southern states. In fact, New South Wales dropped 16%, while Victoria recorded a sharper decline of 29%.
The Processor Cow Indicator jumped 13% to 368¢/kg lwt. Strong processor demand supported this rise despite lower yardings. Queensland continued to dominate supply, accounting for half of all national throughput. Its local indicator climbed to 357¢/kg lwt, close to a record high.
Meanwhile, the Restocker Steer Indicator increased by 11¢ to 487¢/kg lwt. Prices in Queensland surged by 16%, boosted by favourable seasonal conditions and strong restocker confidence.
Sheep Market
Sheep yardings also eased. Lamb numbers dropped by more than 36,000 head nationwide. As a result, the Heavy Lamb Indicator fell 27¢ to 1,129¢/kg cwt. However, Western Australia stood out, recording a significant 95¢ rise in prices.
Restocker lambs performed strongly in New South Wales. Prices there jumped 130¢ to 1,194¢/kg cwt. Furthermore, the National Restocker Lamb Indicator climbed 62¢ to 1,088¢/kg cwt, supported by new season lambs and firm demand from lot feeders.
Slaughter Volumes
Cattle slaughter rose 4% to 152,381 head nationwide. Queensland led the increase with an 8% rise. At the same time, sheepmeat throughput reached 512,950 head, up 7% and the highest since June. Lamb slaughter also rose 9%, driven by plant reopenings in South Australia and Western Australia.
Overall, the Australian cattle and sheep market update August 2025 highlights strong cattle demand and easing lamb prices, reflecting regional supply pressures.
