Consistent with trends over the past few months, the cattle market generally eased this week. Cattle yardings totaled 43,493 head, just 12 head more than last week. Most sales numbers increased or fell very slightly, except for Dalby, where yardings fell by 2,381 to 4,763 head.

Cattle eased by 8,231 head from last week to 43,481 head, as yardings fell in all states except Tasmania.

Yardings held firm this week at 51,712 head, 0.5% below last week. NSW yardings were 2,048 lower than the week before at 23,097, while yardings in Queensland rose by 1,464 to 19,137 head and yardings in Victoria, SA, WA and Tasmania were relatively flat.

Last week, the National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) voluntary slaughter survey recorded national goat slaughter at 49,920 head, the highest level since the 14th week of 2017 – in more than six years. The high goat slaughter numbers were driven by NSW, where throughput was 14,842 head.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its quarterly statistics on livestock slaughtered and meat production, highlighting record lamb production and growth in mutton production across the board so far this year. According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Australia produced the most lamb on record in the calendar year 2022. For the first six months of 2023, lamb producers are tracking 7.7% above year-on-year levels or 20,000 tonnes.

Cattle yardings lifted 7% week-on-week to 51,990 head, the highest weekly volume since early May. Yardings in Queensland eased by 2,430 to 16,611 head, largely due to a 1,904 head softening in Roma, while yardings rose by 5,803 head in NSW and were largely unchanged everywhere else.

The National Livestock Reporting Service’s (NLRS) voluntary weekly slaughter report recorded a national lamb slaughter volume of 444,479 last week. This was the highest lamb slaughter has been since January 2021. It demonstrates just how much lamb supply is available.

The cattle market mostly held firm this week, as yardings lifted 16% from last week to 47,548 head. Dryer conditions in Queensland improved attendance at saleyards from processors and exporters. The largest increase was seen in Roma, where cattle were drawn from far western QLD, NSW and the local area for a 7,411 head showing, 3,036 above the previous week.

The cattle market was mixed this week, with processor and dairy cow prices rising. Feeder steer prices improved whereas heavy steers to processors eased slightly. Restocker prices continue to ease.

Elevated year-on-year slaughter has been occurring most weeks across cattle, sheep and lambs this year. Increased supply on the market and cheaper livestock prices have led to processors filling contracts weeks in advance.