SEASONAL dynamics in the feeder market appear to have changed in the past fortnight, with downward pressure on prices in the north and southern grids on the rise.

Heavy 400kg+ flatback feeder steers out of the paddock were being quoted anywhere between 355-370c/kg, delivered Downs, with one large multi-site lotfeeder taking April delivery for 380c/kg.

Angus prices appear to be dearer in the south where they are hovering around the 420c/kg mark, with northern quotes ranging from 390-410c/kg. A lack of weight on cattle in the south, where dry conditions are persisting, has been credited for the divide.

Some Northern feedlot buyers have reportedly been in Southern New South Wales and Victoria chasing Angus cattle.

While all buyers Beef Central contacted this morning were still offering quotes, many said space was tight on the Darling Downs with most buyers now talking about April delivery. AuctionsPlus last week reported that only 40pc of an offering of 447 heavier steers were cleared – with prices remaining firm at 374c/kg.

Prices appear to be holding up considering the strong supply, interruptions to processing caused by Cyclone Alfred last week and the possibilities of tariffs on Australian beef heading in the United States.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s eight day forecast this week.

Moree-based Ottley Capital director and founder Anthony Glynn said with rain on the horizon in North Queensland this week and patchy storms coming through NSW, confidence was still relatively high.

“You are not hearing anybody going around saying they are in drought or anything like that. We know the sentiment is just as important as the actual seasonal conditions,” he told Beef Central.

Some parts of Northern NSW are still dry, with others managing to catch storms in recent months – including from the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred last week.

Latest NLRS saleyard indicators for 400kg feeder cattle

Source: MLA NLRS saleyard indicators Mon 17 March 2025.  

Meat & Livestock Australia’s saleyards-based feeder steer indicator is telling a similar story to the paddock prices, with cattle in the south being slightly more expensive than cattle in the north.

It opened this week at 361c/kg, with the most of its contribution coming from NSW. The biggest contributor was Wagga, where 400kg+ steers averaged 381c/kg, compared to 371c in Dubbo, 373c in Tamworth and 378c in Gunnedah. Carcoar had the highest heavy feeder prices, averaging 385c/kg.

Qld had an unusually small yarding last week, with only 759 head contributing to the feeder steer indicator. Numbers are expected to pick up this week, with 6700 booked into Roma tomorrow, including some bigger lines of heavy steers.

Forward prices stable

Activity on the StoneX swaps forward pricing tool is stable, with the mid mark between bids and offers hovering around 360c on ‘front month’ (next two-to-three months) and ‘deferred’ contracts that go all the way out to next year.

StoneX Australian livestock and commodities manager Ripley Atkinson said: “Global uncertainty has become a key focus of swaps users recently in relation to tariffs and the implications of this.”

• Keep an eye out for Beef Central’s Weekly Kill column tomorrow for more information on the international dynamics currently playing out.