Fat Cattle Report
Good afternoon everybody, this is John Lindsay with a look at the weekly livestock market reports out of Dubbo for the third week of May 2026. Tallied numbers this week included –
6500 fat cattle
22000 lambs and
12000 mutton
Into the cattle pens firstly, where there was a slightly smaller yarding this week, with all categories represented. The market in general was firm to 20 cents dearer particularly the feeders whether it be a steer or heifer and also younger, fresher, lighter cattle to restockers also enjoying stronger trends. With cows up to 10 cents cheaper and could have been more on the plainer drafts.
Light vealer steers to restockers up to 200kg live 370 to 490 cents, with heavier drafts into the mid 200kg 365 to 530 cents, but seeing most sales around 480 cents.
Light vealer heifers to restockers 252 to 434 cents.
Yearling steers under 400kg to feedlotters 428 to 508 cents, with your top end being your Angus drafts with the crossbreds either side of 460 cents. Heavier drafts over 400kg to feed 460 to 514 cents.
Yearling heifers under 400kg to restockers 375 to 422 cents, with the feeders 394 to 486 cents but seeing most sales around 430 cents. Heavier heifers over 400kg live in high demand, with most drafts being forward and fresh with most drafts making 458 to 494 cents, with most sales either side of 470 cents.
Into export sales, heavy feeder steers were in shorter supply seeing most sales between 432 and 456 cents and mainly being crossbreds. With some export heifers to kill in short supply seeing most sales between 390 and 470 cents with most sales around 440 cents.
As mentioned, cows were softer, particularly on the lighter weights, with the light weights to restockers 150 to 190 cents, medium weight cows 212 to 290 cents for the plainer types or 300 to 350 cents for the fresher drafts, with heavy high yielding cows seeing most sales between 335 and 388 cents with most sales around 360 cents.
Carter Lindsay & McHugh sold the following cattle for their clients –
Firstly for Adam & Billie Altus at Eumungerie, who sold forward well bred Angus steers to feedlotters for 514 cents, they weighed 530kg to return $2290.
The Kelly Family at Wongarbon, sold Angus steers to feedlotters that weighed 345kg for 544 cents and these steers came back at $1870.
For Andrew & Nicolette Vaughan at Yeoval, who sold prime Angus heifers with their 2 teeth, to the processors that weighed 515kg they made 476 cents and these top heifers came back at $2440.
Paul Vernon at Wellington, sold Angus feeder steers that weighed 425kg for 496 cents and they came back at $2120.
To Coonamble for The Millner Family of “Glenulla”, who sold a run of their top quality Charolais steers to the back grounders for 492 cents, they weighed 300kg and they came back at $1475, while the lead of the heifers – also to back grounders made 450 cents, weighed 280kg and these top young heifers came back at $1250.
At Warren for Jeremy & Audrey Weston, who sold young Angus steers that weighed 300kg for 536 cents, to back grounders and these top young steers came back at $1620.
At Nyngan for The Young Family of “Pinegrove”, who sold forward Angus steers for 510 cents, they weighed 470kg to feedlotters and these top steers came back at $2390.
Lastly for Dave Hagarty & Clare Kesby at Brewarrina, who sold forward Red Angus cross heifers to feedlotters for 410 cents, they weighed 370kg and these top heifers came back at $1510.
Fat Sheep & Lamb Report
Into the lamb pens now, where most categories were represented with the market unfortunately $10 to $20 cheaper for most categories.
Into crossbred sales firstly, lightweights to restockers up to 16kg dressed $139 to $203 with most sales around $170.
Light trade $190 to $200, with the fresher drafts making up to $240
Medium trade $230 to $256
Heavy trade or light export $229 to $275, with most sales either side of $250
Export weights up to 26kg dressed $268 to $300
Drafts up to 30kg dressed $275 to $338, with most sales around the $310 mark
With super heavies over 30kg dressed $328 to $364, but mainly around $340.
To Merino sales, with lightweights to restockers and I’m talking up to 12kg dressed $69 to $94
Up to 16kg dressed $135 to $160 for the restocker types and up to $197 for the fresher drafts
Light trade $175 to $198
Medium trade $208 to $260 with most sales around $230
Heavy trade or light export $173 to $214 but mainly either side of $200
With export weights up to 26kg dressed $250 to $265
Carter Lindsay & McHugh sold the following lambs for their clients –
Firstly, locally for Rod & Clare Pilon of “Chloe”, who sold export weight 2nd cross lambs in a 4 score condition, to the export orders and these top lambs made $334.
To Walgett for John & Georgie Burton of “Thara”, who sold light export Aussie White lambs, in a 3 score condition and these top lambs made $271.
To Warren for The McKay family of “Winnabri”, who sold light trade weight Merino lambs with a ¼ inch skin and they made $170.
To Nyngan for The Cleaver Family of “Murrabee”, who sold export weight Aussie White lambs in a well rounded 3 score condition and these top lambs made $256.
While down from Bollon for The O’Brien Family of “Nebinedulla”, who sold heavy trade weight Dorper lambs in a top 3 score condition and these top lambs made $249.
To the mutton pens now, where most categories were represented, where the market was $5 to $10 cheaper for most drafts, however the heavier sheep could have been up to $10 dearer on what is still a very good market.
Light boner ewes $76 to $80
Boner ewes $95 to $162 with most sales around $130
Medium weights $142 to $205 but mainly around the $170 mark for Merino’s or $145 to $186 for crossbreds
Export weights up to 30kg dressed $193 to $278 and mainly around $230 for Merino’s or $220 to $258 for crossbreds.
With extra heavy ewes over 30kg dressed $246 to $298 for Merino’s, with the crossbred portion $250 to $275.
Wethers were shorter supplied, with light wethers $85 to $130
Medium weights $130 to $170
Export weights in short supply and mainly Merino’s $212 to $252
With heavy weights also in short supply and mainly also crossbreds $272 to $300
Carter Lindsay & McHugh sold the following mutton for their clients –
Locally for Sam & Penny Deshon of “Rocklee” at Wellington, who sold export weight Aussie White ewes, in a 3 score condition and these top ewes made $255.
At Baradine, Brad Purdy sold export weight Aussie White ewes and they made $210.
While at Girilambone for the Dunn Family of “Bundong Station”, who sold extra heavy weight Merino ewes, in a 4 score condition and these top ewes rang the bell at $298.
Well that about wraps it up for another week, don’t forget our next store cattle sale is scheduled for Friday 5th June, 2026
So until next week ……………………. Bye.
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As you may be aware, a new rebate scheme has recently been announced for hand-held equipment for the NSW Sheep and Goat eID program.
This funding is specific to producers and livestock agents.
All details on the new Rebate Program are now available at -https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/nsw-sheep-and-goat-eid-equipment-rebate-program-for-producers-and-livestock-agents
Please note the applications open on 2 March 2026, and you must have already purchased the equipment before you can apply (this program does not quarantine funds for future purchases).
Equipment can have a purchase date from 3 October 2023.
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If you make a mistake please initial it.
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