EXPORT processors in the southern regions of Queensland have lifted direct consignment grid offers 10-20c/kg this week, after a period of relative price stability.

Grids seen this morning have four-tooth grass ox in southern Queensland on 620-630c/kg, up 10c, and heavy cows 550-560c/kg, up 10-20c.

Central Queensland plants, still more heavily congested with bookings, have not yet followed suit. Processors in the CQ region are still 520-530c/kg on heavy cows and 600-610c/kg on four-tooth heavy steer.

In southern Queensland, the general trend is for pricing for the last week of June or first week in July, with space bookings only after that. However mid-July slots are filling fast in some parts of Queensland, mostly with ‘repeat’ cattle that go the same way each year, while in extreme cases in Central Queensland, bookings are out to August, week-one.

In southern states, most processors re yet to react since recent rain, with most over-the-hooks grids still steady on last week. Parts of southern NSW still have plenty of cattle already on the books, including some no-quotes. In eastern parts of South Australia, grids this week are unchanged on last week, showing 610c on heavy cows and 690c on four-tooth grass ox. A southern NSW specialist cow processor this week has heavy cows +300kg on 600c/kg and 590c on lighter cows +275kg. Both are for delivery week commencing 23 June.

Recent rain has impacted some southern processors this week, with a few cancellations of direct cattle and some saleyards showing smaller numbers.

Phantom cattle phenomenon

At least part of the reason given by some contacts for the rises in grid price offers in southern Queensland this week was that cattle booked earlier, on a space only basis (no price attached) have failed to materialise when they have fallen due. Third party agency involvement was a factor in some examples, one contact said.

That’s left some operators a little shorter than they expected, heading towards mid-June. “Big holes” was the term one contact used to describe the situation.

So-called ‘phantom’ bookings have occurred a number of times in the past when supply gets congested, and some producers seek to keep their options open by booking the same cattle with slots at more than one plant – only to pull out when it comes time to negotiate on price.

Another ‘phantom’ trend has been a kill slot booking for ten decks, only to turn into five or six decks, by the time price is negotiated leading up to production date. If enough vendors do that, it leave some big, unexpected holes to fill on relatively short notice.

What that does to processor/producer relationships is worth considering, but it can’t be good.

Based on discussions this morning, the impact appears to be mostly on southern Queensland processors. Those further north clustered around Rockhampton-Biloela-Mackay appear to be less impacted, with bookings still well forward.

Some inflows of Territory and Central Australian cattle are now being seen in processor kills and bookings over the next few weeks, as that region starts to dry out after unseasonal May rain. Others in the far north have had to push their delivery schedules back a month, until country dries out further. June, July and August are peak turnoff times out of the NT and Central Australia region.

Early frosts and their impact on pasture is now a factor in some parts of eastern Australia, with a cutting breeze reported on the southern Barkly yesterday morning. Others in frost-prone parts of Queensland have seen the mercury fall to zero degrees some recent nights, but no frost evident yet.

Production volume eases

After three consecutive 2025 weekly slaughter records in May – each between 152,000 and 153,000 head – recent rain and public holidays have pushed production volumes lower. The week ending 30 may was the nation’s highest volume slaughter week since 2019.

The current week’s kill will be strongly impacted by yesterday’s King’s Birthday holiday, observed in all states bar Queensland and Western Australia.

Saleyards trends

Rainfall in the past week of 15-50mm in parts of central and southern NSW, the southern half of Victoria and the southern Darling Downs has had some affect on saleyards numbers.

Gunnedah sale this morning yarded 1850, down slightly on last week. Trends were mixed, selling to a dearer trend for various categories. Feeders +480kg were slightly dearer and similar processor heifers 12c/kg better 361-364c/kg. Heavy grown steers to 361c/kg similar heifers 11c/kg dearer 303-352c. Plainer score two heavy cows were substantially dearer 206-255c kg, heavy score four cows gained slightly 286-331c/kg.

Roma yarded 7738 head this morning, up sharply from last week’s rain affected offering. An exceptional line up of locally well bred weaners on offer as well as western cattle. At the time of this interim report the market was fully firm to slightly dearer. Only a small number of 500-600kg steers penned and sold to 348c and bullocks +600kg made to 350c/kg to processors. Cows were yet to sell. Full report tomorrow.

There was no Wagga sale yesterday due to the public holiday.