THERE are some big slides evident in Queensland direct consignment grid offers this week, as the combined effects of export meat market price pressure and some momentum in bigger pastoral turnoff takes effect.

Over-the-hooks grids across the state have fallen 20-30c/kg since late last week, impacting a typical grass heavy steer value by +$100/head.

Some see this week’s changes as signalling the turn of the cycle on slaughter cattle, with meat prices clearly showing a softer tone since Australia triggered its 55pc China tariff a week ago. On top of that, Brazil is edging closer to filling its own China quota by about August – pushing more product into direct competition with Australian beef in other markets.

Some bigger runs of company cattle out of northern regions of the state apparently contributed to softer offers and demand in Queensland and elsewhere  this week.

In contrast with slaughter cattle, the feeder job ‘just continues marching’ this week, to use a descriptor from one southern buyer. Forward contract prices on grainfed ox have responded to feeder price movements in recent weeks, with unconfirmed reports of October delivery grainfed ox around $10.50/kg on 150-day Angus in the south, and anywhere from $8.80 to $9.30 quoted for 100-day flatbacks across different regions.

Some lotfeeders say they can’t make the sums work at current feeder rates, and that may lead to a few empty pens showing up in yards, as mobs close-out, one grainfed contact said.

“Buying steers at today’s rates means that in 120 days, the blood will flow,” was the dramatic description of the trading terms offered by one feedlot buyer.

Grids decline

Competitive export processors in Queensland’s southern region are this morning offering 720-730c/kg on heavy cows and 800-820c/kg on four-tooth heavy grass ox. Some grids came back in two instalments – 20c last Thursday, and another 10c yesterday.

The three plants in Central Queensland are 20c/kg behind those rates.

“June was tough enough to fill kill slots in Queensland, pushing prices higher, but there’s a few more cattle flowing now for July and August,” was one livestock manager’s response.

Some Central Queensland plants are now reasonably well covered for shifts through to the middle of August – as far forward as they have been for some time. Southern Queensland priced bookings are more like mid-July, but space bookings have been secured beyond that.

There’s been a noticeable decline in southern states processing activity in recent weeks, leading some to suggest that the industry may have already seen its busiest production week of the 2026 year, reaching 166,446 head (NLRS reported kills) for the week ending 22 May. Unconfirmed reports this morning suggest more than one southern states processor is now dropping time as a result of supply and recent price pressure.

Disregarding the week ending 12 June due to southern states public holidays, Victoria’s most recent full production week (ending 5 June) was down 7pc on numbers seen only a fortnight earlier. NSW was back 4.3pc, or 1600 head.

Mild winter having impact

The unusually mild start to winter this year (some susceptible areas have yet to receive their first decent frost for the year, with only a week of June remaining) means average carcase weights on both steer and cow have shown no real sign of decline so far, several exporters said.

Parts of the Upper Murray that would normally have seen 10-12 frosts by this time have yet to record one this year, meaning those cattle won’t slow down like they normally do. If anything, those mild conditions will see those cattle hit their weights earlier, one southern processor said.

He said he was ‘pulling cattle from everywhere’ this week, with all next week’s requirements covered, without need for saleyards supplementation.

Southern states processors don’t appear to have changed grid offers much at this stage. Good quality cows for kills in eastern parts of South Australia this week are around 820c/kg, and 840c on Angus MSA-eligible. Other processors in the same region have not changed offers for several weeks, but indicated this morning that that might not last. Current offers include 780-800c/kg on heavy cows and 870-880c on heavy grass ox.

Some southern NSW plants with substantial grainfed kills as a ‘core’ are not quoting this week for grass cattle.

Saleyards channel:

Gunnedah’s yarding slipped markedly this morning, offering only 1090, down almost 1000 on last week. End of financial year may have been a factor. Competition was described as steady, with heifers less sought-after and most gains quality related. Yearling steers to feed were 20c dearer, averaging 596c, heifers lost 6c. Score 2 and 3 cows were 10c better selling from 355-391c, heavyweights lost 7c from 388-419c.

Tamworth yarded only 1469 yesterday, down 800. Yearling steers to feed lacked quality and were 20c cheaper, averaging g 576c. Cows offerings were limited, with score 2-3 cows 5-8c better, while prime heavy cows were slightly cheaper selling from 385-408c.

Wodonga yarded 1300 yesterday, down 150, with cows making up half the offering. Heavy steers and bullocks made from 455-530c. Well finished cows were in demand, making 406-439c.

There was no preliminary Roma report available by the time this item was published, but observers attending the sale said young cattle prices remained very strong. All the good heifers had a five in front of them, and weaners steers +600c, one contact said. Around 6000 were offered. Good flatback feeders were making 530-540c, heifers 440-450c. Full report tomorrow.