Cattle markets surge after rain in NSW and Queensland

Eastern states cattle markets surged over the past week as widespread rain fell across key producing regions in NSW and Queensland, tightening yarding numbers after earlier heavy turn-offs in May. Heavy Angus Feeder steers were reaching as high as $5.45 delivered to the feedlot.

NSW and Queensland rain

The rainfall cut back supply quickly. Heavy Angus Feeder steers had been sitting above $5/kg for nearly 8 months, and the recent move pushed them to the highest level named in the market update.

Earlier in May, heavy turn-offs had been visible across eastern states livestock markets. The rain abruptly halted that flow, leaving fewer cattle coming forward and lifting prices across the board.

Dubbo Cattle Sale

At the Dubbo Cattle Sale on 21/05/2026, the market was quoted as dearer across the board. Young cattle to the trade were 25 cents dearer.

That shift gave sellers a clear pricing change in one of the named sale points, with the move showing up in both feeder and trade cattle categories. For buyers, the immediate effect was tighter supply after the rain reduced yarding numbers.

The pattern now is straightforward for eastern states sellers: rainfall in NSW and Queensland has tightened numbers and strengthened prices. If that supply drop holds, the market is already trading on thinner yardings rather than the heavy turn-offs seen earlier in the month.