Floods and drought: A look at the cattle market’s start to 2025

Farmers have faced a turbulent start to the year with floods, drought or a varied season. Find out how cattle saleyards are performing, and the price jumps between each state.

Australia’s livestock market is feeling the effects of a turbulent start to the year following a string of extreme weather events ranging from a tropical ex-cyclone and widespread flooding in the north to drought conditions in the south and patchy season across Western Australia.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, southern states have experienced severe and widespread rainfall deficiencies, with southern parts of South Australia recording their lowest rainfall on record for the 14 months to February. In contrast, parts of central Queensland and northern NSW posted their highest rainfall totals on record.

These stark weather contrasts are being reflected in cattle prices and saleyard activity across the nation.

The National Young Cattle Indicator is currently averaging 376c/kg liveweight, but prices vary significantly by state. The NSW indicator is sitting slightly above the average at 388c/kg, followed by Queensland at 382c/kg, Victoria at 374c/kg, South Australia at 336c/kg, Tasmania at 332c/kg, and Western Australia at a much lower 286c/kg.

At the same time, cattle saleyard throughput has risen sharply in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Tasmania has led the increase with a 59 per cent jump in yardings, followed by Victoria (54 per cent), Queensland (39 per cent), NSW (14 per cent), SA (9 per cent), and Western Australia (8 per cent).

Meat and Livestock Australia analyst Emily Tan said the lift in throughput was largely due to stronger cattle prices, which have encouraged more producers to bring stock to market.

“Strong seasonal conditions in NSW has seen more producers trading cattle due to the available pasture, while Victoria experienced tougher conditions and has meant more producers selling cattle to reduce stocking numbers,” Ms Tan said.

“Queensland had a huge, devastating flood but it meant northern NSW had good rainfall, so producers are expecting pasture and it’s lifting prices.”

NSW Riverina grazier Michael Gooden, from Sandigo, said his property was currently understocked after sending cows and heifers on agistment near Young.

“(Beef is) competing well. We’re all focused on the grass-fed market and it’s pretty solid, there’s not a lot of grass around so it’s back to supply and demand,” he said.

In Victoria, several regions are waiting for an autumn break after missing out on well-timed and adequate rain.

Myrtleford grazier Loretta Carroll said her property was dry, having received 70mm a month ago with follow-up rain of 12mm since.

She runs a herd of 110 cattle, down from 150, alongside a flock of 400 Aussie White prime lambs.

Ms Carroll said she had enough of their own hay for now, and had bought in some straw. She said cattle prices were low in December and January and hoped producers had good return for effort with the current market.

“We’ll decide (whether to sell) depending on what happens with the season,” she said