Markets

2025 cattle market put to early test with big sale yardings

Eric Barker and James Nason 22/01/2025

CATTLE markets have been given their first test of the year with big numbers flowing through saleyards across the east coast this week.

While the market softened in most cases, there was a sense of optimism at today’s Dalby cattle sale – with many feeling that it held up well considering the sharp increase in numbers.

Dalby yarded more than 7000 head today after about 11,000 were penned at yesterday’s Roma sale. Southern saleyards were also busy, with Wagga yarding 7200 head and Gunnedah 4650. More than 6000 are booked in for tomorrow’s Dubbo Cattle Sale.

It appears many are opportunistically selling after a strong start to the year. Some big lines have been coming into Roma and Dalby from Western Qld where the season is starting to dry out – including 570 weaners from Jericho and another 200 from Barcaldine.

Penny Sinnamon with her pens of Santa steers sold through Grant Daniel Long at the Dalby Saleyards this morning.

Moree-based mixed farmer Penny Sinnamon was selling at the Dalby saleyards today to make time for an early sorghum harvest. The family operation grows wheat, canola, sorghum and breeds Santa Gertrudis cattle.

This week was the first time in a couple of years Ms Sinnamon had sold through the Dalby Saleyards.

“It was just an easy and quick option to sell at the saleyards today because we don’t have enough staff at the moment,” Ms Sinnamon said.

“We are starting to get a little bit dry, we have missed a few storms, so we thought we would sell our steers and keep our cows going.”

Ms Sinnamon had three pens of Santa Gertrudis steers bred on-farm, which sold to a top of 380c/kg and a pen of crossbred steers that sold to a top of 379c/kg – both sold through GDL Dalby.

While the season had dried off this year, Ms Sinnamon said they were coming off a magical year last year.

“Yields were amazing and we managed to get everything done before it started raining,” she said.

“Traditionally we don’t buy any cattle in, but we had a volume of feed and we had to utilise it. We also have an accredited feedlot we can use, but we decided to sell this year with a few less people at home.”

John Otto from Yarraman (left) sold his first cattle through the Dalby saleyards more than 50 years ago and was there again this morning to see his draft of 550kg+ Limousin heifers sell for 320c/kg.

“The market is back a bit, but it is a big yarding,” he commented to Beef Central as the auctioneer’s bids rang out.

“The money is good now, but before this, four or five months ago, they were giving us a belting.”

The world may have changed but examples of multi-generational loyalty between producers and their agents can still often be found. In the 1970s John Otto pulled up at the Dalby saleyards with a truck and agent David O’Sullivan offered to help to sell his cattle. For more than 50 years since the Ottos have sold all of their cattle through two generations of O’Sullivan Auctions Livestock and Property – firstly through David, who has now retired, and now through David’s son Paul – pictured with John at this morning’s sale.

He said he was happy with the 320c/kg price his heifers fetched today, noting that six months ago “you were probably scratching to get $2.”

John and his son Darryl breed Limousin and Limousin cross cattle on three properties near Yarraman.

At over 80 John is a picture of health and vitality, which he puts down to a life spent in the country.

“It has been a great industry, I like it because I am out in the bush,” he  said.

“I just can’t stand it in the cities. If you go to Brisbane the best view you get is the one in the rear vision mirror when you’re leaving,” he said with a belly laugh.

Nutriens Dustyn Fitzgerald and Terry Ryan with a draft of 104 Santa Gertrudis weaner steers from the McKay family, Cynthia Downs, St George.

Nutrien Auctioneer Terry Ryan said there is a positive vibe to the cattle market early in 2025, following good rain for many over spring and summer – although noting that recent hot temperatures were now making their presence felt on pastures across inland Queensland.

Adding to the optimistic conditions he said were ongoing signs that wholesalers are able to sell plenty of meat, a falling dollar which is helping to improve the competitiveness of Australian beef in export markets, and lower grain prices for lot feeders compared to what they had to pay last year.

“Heavy feeders are making $3.90 to $4, cows are a bit over $3, bullocks $3.40 to $3.60 – that is a good base isn’t it,” he said.

  • Beef Central will have more results from the Dalby Cattle Sale tomorrow.

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Comments

  1. Byevista Farms, 23/01/2025

    Great to track what’s happening across the pond.

  2. Heiner Holtkamp, 22/01/2025

    I am looking for a Lease cattle Block

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