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.
With fodder reserves currently high and a strong production period underway, landholders across New England and North West NSW are presented with a timely window to secure their feed strategies ahead of changing weather patterns.
It’s easy to take for granted the dirt on our boots and the effortless way our kids learn where their food comes from. Standing here in Gunnedah, getting ready to send my eldest son off to Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School next year with his two younger brothers hopefully following in his footsteps, I’m constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to live this lifestyle. But step outside our regional bubble, and the divide between city children and the farm gate has never been wider.
Stand on the edge of any paddock at sunrise across our region, and you’ll see a landscape built on generations of grit, local knowledge, and good old-fashioned hard work. But look a little closer at the horizon today, and you might just catch a user-friendly drone hovering silently into view
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