FEEDLOT buyers have started to release grids for 2026 as big numbers continue to pour into saleyards across the eastern states.

Most yards are booked until Christmas or taking advantage of the big numbers coming through saleyards – with prices dropping significantly at one major southern saleyard this morning.

While paddock prices are hard to find for this week, grids have started to come out for cattle to be delivered at the start of next year.

Darling Downs lotfeeders were looking at 490-500c/kg for 400kg+ flatback feeder steers at the start of next year. One quote of 510c/kg for Angus feeders was released for delivery to the New England area of New South Wales.

A southern feedlot buyer said he had already purchased some Angus feeders for early next year for 500c/kg.

Big numbers are continuing to flow into saleyards across the eastern states, with 6900 on the draw for Wagga today, 3900 sold at Tamworth and 9800 on the draw for Roma tomorrow. Dubbo saleyards last week continued its record run, 10,112 head penned.

Several reasons have been given for the big runs of cattle, with uncertainty about the weather over the next couple of months and a strong market being the main two reasons.

Another point many buyers have been making all year has been that cattle are getting to feeder weight quicker than expected in many cases, with a good season in many areas.

One large lotfeeder said induction weights are 20-30kg heavier this year than what they were at this time last year.

Feeder prices have dropped in some of the early sales this week, with feedlot orders down at Wagga and prices dropping significantly.

Numbers increased significantly for heavy 400kg+ feeder steers, with 1391 head offered. Priced dropped 30-50c on the previous week, with 1241 head averaging about 457c/kg.

Prices for feeder steers and heifers firm to 8c cheaper at Tamworth.

Prices were strong at Dubbo last week, with feeder steers sold in a range between 390c and 517c at last week’s Dubbo sale. NLRS reporter David Monk said heavy weight feeders finished 8c dearer.

Meat & Livestock Australia’s feeder steer indicator has held reasonably firm with the big flush of cattle coming into saleyards in recent weeks, opening this week at 480c/kg – down 6c on the past week. The 400kg+ category was at 488c/kg, down 3c.

The big numbers through saleyards in recent weeks have been reflected in the contributions to the indicator, going from 7112 head four-weeks-ago to 11,594 head last week.

AuctionsPlus listed 2274 heavy 400kg+ feeders last week, with 1900 of them being Angus steers. They gained 25c on the previous week to average 504c/kg, but cleared only 55pc of the 2274 head offered.

• This is the last feeder cattle market update this year, the fortnightly updates will continue when the market gets going again in the early months of next year.