Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap

02 Oct 2026

Key points

Cattle prices stabilised following significant declines since early August, although signals remain mixed across regions and market categories.
Lamb indicators continued to ease with the Restocker Lamb and Heavy Lamb Indicators falling 31¢ and 33¢ respectively.
Lamb yardings decreased on the back of declining prices and impending southern rain.

Higher fuel costs, sporadic grain pricing and drier seasonal conditions continue to influence producer selling decisions and buyer activity.

Cattle market

Cattle prices showed signs of stabilising this week following significant declines since the start of August. However, market signals remained mixed across regions and categories.

The National Young Cattle Indicator (NYCI) lifted 10¢ week-on-week (WoW) to 486¢/kg liveweight (lwt), up 2%.

The Feeder Steer Indicator remained firm, unchanged compared to week ago levels at 493¢/kg lwt. The Heavy Processor Cow Indicator up 2¢, to 376¢/kg lwt.

Supply varied across the major selling centers. Roma Saleyards’ yarding increased by 2,000 head as drier seasonal conditions continued to influence producer turn-off decisions.

In contrast, Dalby's yarding fell by 1,355 head.

Wagga Wagga recorded a heavily reduced yarding, down 1,870 head with many producers opting to retain cattle and add weight rather than sell at current price levels.

Total cattle yardings for the week achieved 63,163, down 15,587, week on week.

Sheep market

Lamb yardings overall decreased by 4,501 head compared to week ago levels, totaling 151,591. Sheep yardings continued to decline week on week.

Sheep numbers continued to ease and highlighted a typical seasonal pattern for this time of year.

The Restocker Lamb Indicator recorded the largest fall, down 31¢ (−3%) to 1,107¢/kg carcase weight (cwt).

The Trade Lamb Indicator held steady at 1,096¢/kg cwt, while the Heavy Lamb Indicator eased 33¢ (−3%) to 1,055¢/kg cwt.

On the back of declining prices and predicted southern rainfall, Wagga Wagga saleyard recorded 11,150 less lambs this week.

Lamb yardings overall decreased by 4,501 head compared to week ago levels, totaling 151,591.

Sheep yardings continued to decline week on week. Sheep numbers continued to ease and highlighted a typical seasonal pattern for this time of year.

Slaughter

Week ending 27 September 2026

Cattle

National cattle slaughter numbers decreased slightly week-on-week to 142,765 head.

State-by-state cattle slaughter (YoY):

NSW: down 3% to 33,309 head
Queensland: down 4% to 76,087 head
SA: up 9% to 3,820 head
Tasmania: up 6% to 3,815 head
Victoria: down 1% to 21,701 head
WA: up 6% to 4,033 head.

Sheep

National lamb slaughter increased 3% WoW to 350,127 head, while mutton slaughter lifted 16% to 129,750 head.

State-by-state lamb slaughter (YoY):

NSW: down 23% to 78,957 head
Queensland: down 15% to 1,050 head
SA: up 1% to 41,629 head
Tasmania: up 76% to 8,286 head
Victoria: down 1% to 170,724 head
WA: down 2% to 49,481 head.

Attribute content to: Stuart Bull, MLA Market Information Manager

Information is correct at time of publication on 2 October 2026

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