NSW sell-off leads to nation’s highest monthly cow yarding on record

24 Apr 2026

Key points

The highest monthly cow yarding on record – 84,069 – was achieved in March.
NSW contributed 64% of the yarding, likely due to dry conditions in the state’s northern regions.

A comparison of the state breakdowns across March 2026 and May 2018 puts the isolation of the current NSW sell-off in context.

yarding table

Source: NLRS.

The sell-off has been concentrated within northern NSW as rainfall data shows drying conditions throughout the area. When comparing March 2026 and May 2018, rainfall deficit data shows a clear difference.

map 1 map 2

Source: BOM.

The flow of cows into the market has had a price impact. The Processor Cow Indicator currently sits at 299¢/kg liveweight (lwt), coming back from 348¢/kg lwt a month ago – a 14% decline in the aggregate. Despite the difficult conditions in central eastern regions, Australia’s cattle industry remains in a strong position against the United States’ supply deficit.

Attribute content to Alex Fry, MLA Market Information Analyst.    

Information is correct at time of writing on 23 April 2026.

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