Weaner sales kick off 2026

14 Jan 2026

A week of weaner sales at the Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange (NVLX) Wodonga ‘Blue Ribbon’ event kicked off 2026. Over five days, 17,505 head were yarded − consistent with previous years’ yarding numbers.

First day

The store feature sale’s first day comprised of 752 head, including an impressive good quality cattle supply, dominated by the Angus breed.

The buying pool was geographically broad, with large lines heading to southeast Queensland, in particular. Feedlots and backgrounders were very active.

Angus yearling steers (0–330kg) gained the day’s top price − selling at 538.70¢/kg liveweight (lwt).

Second day

The second store feature sale produced an enormous offering of 7,102 head. The market was strong throughout, displaying cattle market confidence.

The prices for feeder heifers were 30−40¢/kg higher than those of a year ago. Lightweight heifers (200–320kg) reached 672¢/kg lwt.

With feeder steers over 400kg being in limited supply, the price range was pushed to 465¢−530¢/kg lwt.

Third day

The third weaner store sale produced 4,282 head. This offering comprised of yet-to-be-weaned lines which caused variations in buyer preferences and price fluctuations of around $100 between weaned and unweaned stock.

Most buyers were operating out of Queensland and northern NSW, as well as from the local area. Feedlot buyers were searching for anything carrying weight, with steers between 200–320kg selling for 481¢−626¢/kg lwt.

Heifers between 320–400kg – destined for future breeding programs – reached 514¢/kg lwt.

Fourth day

Day four offered the first of the mixed breeds store feature sales, reaching 2,969 head. The bulk of the breeds were Herefords, Angus Cross, and Euro steers and heifers. Buyers dominated, again, from southern Queensland and Northern NSW.

Restockers were active, with a pen of Hereford steers weighing 428kg selling for 486¢/kg lwt.

A pen of Charolais-cross heifer calves averaged 449¢/kg lwt.

Fifth day

The final day showcased mixed breeds and produced 2,400 head in yardings. It attracted strong support from bullock finishers, feedlots and backgrounders.

Weaner steers between 200–320kg sold for 441¢−589¢/kg lwt.

Nearly all the heifers were sold to backgrounders and feedlots. Those weighing between 320–400kg sold for 404¢−467¢/kg lwt.

To view all the store markets please visit Cattle Store Report | Meat & Livestock Australia

Attribute content to Stephanie Pitt, NLRS Operations Manager.

Information is correct at time of publication on 14 January 2026.

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