FEEDER cattle quotes have been difficult to come across this week, with major flooding in Queensland limiting the movement of cattle.

Cattle feeding at Paringa Feedlot.

Feedlot buyers who spoke to Beef Central this morning said they expected the market to stay flat this week with limited trading. 400kg+ flatback feeder steers out of the paddock, delivered Downs, are ranging between 360-375c/kg. Angus feeders are ranging between 380-400c/kg in the north and up to 420c/kg in the south.

At the saleyards, the rain has pushed feeder prices up. Meat & Livestock Australia’s national feeder steer indicator last week picked up 10c to close at 371c/kg.

Feedlots looking for cattle this week have been handling quotes on a case-by-case basis, prioritising cattle that can definitely be delivered.

Many feedlots are still booked forward into April and one into May, with plenty of supply and processing disruptions caused by Cyclone Alfred slowing the movement of finished bullocks departing feedlots and freeing up pen space.

Processing disruptions are still coming, with Easter, Anzac Day and Labor Day in Qld all falling in the space of two weeks.

Channel country floods change the dynamic

This week’s flooding in the channel country has significantly changed the dynamic of the feeder market.

The channel country is big area for feeder cattle supply and it is looking to have a significant amount of feed for the rest of the year.

Now flooded areas were starting to de-stock and prepare for a dry year ahead, which was putting downward pressure on the feeder market a fortnight ago. Livestock transporters from the area, who were participating in Beef Central’s top 25 livestock transporters feature, said they were starting to do some big lifts out of the channel country.

Stock losses are still being counted and won’t be known for a long time. But there is also some talk about cattle growing too heavy for feedlot weight and possibly being finished as grassfed bullocks.

Cattle movements are expected to stay limited for a while as floodwaters are having to recede from record levels. Tomorrow’s Roma sale has been cancelled and other sales have seen small numbers. (see other item on cancellations)

Early sales see increase in prices

While the feeder market has been holding firm in the face of the floods, early sales in the south this week have seen an increase in feeder steer prices.

400kg+ feeder steers at Wagga averaged 404c/kg, which is up 19c on the previous week. Feeder steers on AuctionsPlus also increased 19c, to average 402c, with only a small offering of 527 head.

It must be noted that these sales do not delineate between flatback and Angus prices.

Latest NLRS saleyard indicators for 400kg+ feeder cattle

Source: MLA NLRS saleyard indicators Mon 31 March 2025.