Australian Cattle and Sheep Slaughter Rebounds

Read full article

Australian Cattle and Sheep Slaughter Rebounds as Feeder Prices Ease

24 October 2025 | Australian cattle and sheep market wrap, providing the latest updates and insights from the industry.

Australia’s livestock markets showed a mixed performance mid-October, with feeder cattle prices easing on weaker demand, while restocker and light-lamb indicators lifted on renewed buyer competition. National slaughter rebounded sharply following the previous week’s public holiday disruptions.

Cattle Market

National cattle yardings fell 24 % to 60,760 head, following the prior week’s exceptionally high volumes — the largest since May. The decline was most pronounced in Victoria (-38 %), followed by New South Wales (-22 %) and Queensland (-16 %).

The Feeder Steer Indicator slipped 5¢ to 453¢/kg liveweight, reflecting a more measured approach from buyers despite reduced supply. Price corrections were concentrated among light and medium-weight steers.

By contrast, the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator lifted 2¢ to 461¢/kg liveweight, supported by solid demand from southern restockers. Competition from Victorian and NSW buyers pushed regional prices higher, with NSW’s indicator rising 6¢ week-on-week to 468¢/kg liveweight.

Sheep Market

National sheep yardings declined 7 % to 107,826 head, while lamb yardings rose 9 % to 197,055 head as the seasonal flush continued.

The Light Lamb Indicator increased 12¢ to 985¢/kg carcass weight, though it remains below late-September highs when tight supply drove prices above 1,100¢/kg.

The Restocker Lamb Indicator also strengthened, up 18¢ to 1,042¢/kg carcass weight, driven by active restocker demand — particularly in NSW, where the indicator jumped 42¢ week-on-week. In Forbes, light lambs sold to restockers at $196–$245 per head.

Slaughter

Cattle and sheep slaughter activity rebounded after the prior week’s holiday-shortened schedules.

Cattle

National cattle slaughter rose 14 % to 152,947 head, led by:

Queensland: up 14 % to 80,940 head
NSW: up 23 % to 35,210 head
Victoria: up 1 % to 24,999 head
SA: up 24 % to 3,814 head
Tasmania: up 17 % to 4,426 head
WA: down 3 % to 3,558 head

Sheep and Lamb

Combined national throughput lifted 7 % to 539,201 head, narrowing the gap to just 9 % below the 2025 weekly average of 590,247 head.

Lamb slaughter: up 9 % to 373,289 head, with gains in all states.
- NSW: +19 % to 69,314
- Victoria: +7 % to 202,504 (highest since June)
- WA: +7 % to 50,351
Sheep slaughter: up 5 % to 165,912 head, led by:
- NSW: +24 % to 61,075
- WA: +3 % to 34,853
- Victoria: down 11 % to 54,553

The surge in slaughter follows improved plant operating schedules and strong demand for new-season lambs across eastern states.

GB Cattle Prices Edge Higher as Sheep Trade Eases

Source: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Emiliano Diaz, Market Information Analyst, 24 October 2025.

Read full article Share on X