If you’ve been watching the feeder markets over the last fortnight, you’ve likely noticed a massive shift in momentum. Feeder grids have surged by 30 to 50c/kg, pushing saleyard indicators to heights we haven't seen since 2022.
But according to prominent market analyst Simon Quilty from Global Agritrends, this isn’t just a short-term blip. He’s making some incredibly bold predictions for where this market is heading, and it’s something local producers need to keep a very close eye on.
So, what’s driving the surge, what should you be watching, and how can you lean into this? Here is the breakdown.
The heavier end of the feeder market (400kg+) opened strongly at 524c/kg, and down on the Darling Downs, flatback feeders are sitting comfortably between 515c and 520c/kg.
If you are running Angus cattle, the news is even better. Southern Angus quotes are sitting between 550c and 560c/kg, with some anecdotal reports pushing closer to 600c/kg.
This spike is a direct result of two things:
Simon Quilty believes there is still a massive amount of upside left in this market. Here are the two key milestones Simon istelling producers to watch:
Why such a massive jump? It comes down to severe supply shortages in Northern NSW and Southern Qld. After a huge sell-off over the last year, around 100,000 cows exited our regions and 60% to 70% of them went straight to slaughter. The cattle simply aren't on the ground anymore.
So, how do you use this information to make smart decisions on-farm today?
1. Watch the Heifer Premium
We’ve already seen heifer prices jump over the last two weeks, trading within 20–30c of
feeder steers. Quilty suggests that by January 2027, heifers could actually trade at a premium to feeder steers as restockers scramble to
rebuild their core breeding herds. If you have quality heifers, think about holding your ground as their value is on a steep upward
trajectory.
2. You don't just need rain to win
Interestingly, Quilty notes that these high predictions aren't strictly dependent
on a wet spring. Because the region has tipped out so much stock, we are back to core breeding numbers. The sheer lack of supply is going to
drive this market, regardless of the weather.
3. Timing your marketing is everything
If you have numbers ready to go, understand that feedlots are hungry to fill
contracts. However, if you have the capacity to hold and background your stock closer to that late-winter/early-spring window when China
buyers re-enter the market, you could be looking at a much handsomer return.
The leverage is shifting back into the hands of the producer. With supply thin on the ground across Northern NSW, the cattle you hold are becoming highly valuable assets.
If you're trying to figure out the best timing to market your steers or heifers to maximize these rising grids, give the team at James Bradford Rural a call today.
We are on the ground, tracking these trends daily, and here to help you get the best result for your livestock.
If you were around the local saleyards in the first four months of 2026, you didn't need a market analyst to tell you things were very busy. The first quarter of the year saw a massive movement of stock out of Northern New South Wales, driven by dry conditions..
In the agricultural industry, there’s a whole lot we can’t control. We can't control when the rain falls, we can’t control global market
swings, and we certainly can’t control the price of fuel.
But here’s the good news: the things we can control make all the difference to the bottom line.
For generations of primary producers across the North West, the traditional farm clearing sale was an all-or-nothing event. It meant months of stressful preparation, a yard full of strangers, and a heavy reliance on the weather behaving itself on sale day.
© James Bradford Rural 2026 | Privacy Policy | Created by 2 Creative Media