Quiet week after a monumental year

It’s been a dramatic yr for the Australian cattle market as mentioned on Mecardo by
Jamie-Lee Oldfield (learn extra right here) Home cattle costs have improved markedly
yr on yr in 2025, with demand managing to greater than offset traditionally
sturdy provide and cautious, at finest, restocker help throughout southern
Australia.

This week,
indicators had been comparatively steady with most averaging single-digit features or losses.
Processor Cow indicators eased 13¢ to 365¢/kg lwt, and feeder heifers improved 8¢ to 418¢/kg lwt. The Jap Younger Cattle Indicator (EYCI) misplaced 3¢ to 858¢/kg cwt and the Western Younger Cattle Indicator (WYCI) completed this yr at 818¢/kg
cwt.

Meatworks wrapping up for the yr took some warmth out of bids this week, however again on the plant, the tempo stays intense. Weekly slaughter this yr averaged 147K head, which is 13% greater than final yr’s weekly common.  Processors being snug at this tempo isa good signal for the beginning of 2026 which, climate relying, may see provide stay elevated, significantly out of the North.