Warwick Livestock Market Holds Firm Despite Winter Conditions

Lamb prices strengthen while cattle market remains resilient as frosty weather lifts sheep numbers.

Dry, frosty conditions across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales saw sheep and lamb numbers surge at the Warwick Livestock Markets this week, while cattle yardings remained seasonally low.

The weekly sale for the period ending 17 July 2026 attracted 929 cattle and 3,063 sheep and lambs, with agents reporting strong demand for quality heavy stock despite producers becoming increasingly cautious as winter conditions persist.

The overall cattle market remained solid across most categories, with feeder cattle continuing to attract strong competition.

Feeder steers averaged 515.7 cents per kilogram, topping at 622.2c/kg, returning between $1,943 and $2,651.28. Feeder heifers averaged 448.2c/kg, reaching a top of 510c/kg and selling for up to $2,070.92.

Heavy bulls averaged 409.6c/kg, topping at 470.2c/kg, with prices ranging from $2,523.22 to an impressive $4,986.33.

Cows averaged 337.1c/kg, topping at 385c/kg, returning between $1,757.42 and $2,811.75.

Trade steers averaged 422.1c/kg, reaching 489.2c/kg, while manufacturing steers averaged 382c/kg, topping at 396.2c/kg.

Young cattle continued to sell well, with vealer steers averaging 464.3c/kg and topping at 632.2c/kg, while yearling steers averaged 492.3c/kg, peaking at 590c/kg.

The overall cattle sale averaged $1,634.56 per head, reflecting continued confidence from buyers despite lower seasonal numbers.

The sheep and lamb market experienced a significant increase in yardings as producers responded to ongoing dry and frosty conditions.

While larger supplies of lighter lambs and lower-yielding stock softened competition in some categories, heavy export lambs and quality mutton remained in strong demand.

Lambs topped the sale at $350, averaging $260.41 per head, an increase of $24 on the previous week.

Hoggets reached $281, averaging $222.90, while ram lambs sold to $250, averaging $215.41, up $25 per head.

Heavy ewes sold to $270, averaging $189.54, while wethers topped at $280 and rams reached $206.

The combined sheep and lamb sale averaged $230.09 per head, remaining in line with the previous week’s results.

Among the sale highlights, Nolan Past Co sold 60kg Dorper lambs for the day’s top price of $350, while the Thompson Family achieved $344 for 62.2kg Dorset lambs.

Gooroo Grazing sold 58.5kg Dorper lambs for $340, while the Finlay Family marketed an impressive line of White Suffolk lambs from their feedlot, selling up to $342 for 69.8kg lambs.

Other notable results included Rory and Kathy Frost, whose Charollais-cross lambs sold to $306, and Graham Newberry, whose White Suffolk lambs reached $300.

The pig market remained relatively quiet between seasonal peaks, with sows selling from $230 to $260, porkers making $174 to $260, and store pigs returning $120 to $169.

Poultry numbers remained consistent, with hens selling to $55, pullets reaching $80, roosters making $32.50, and peacocks topping the bird sale at $100.

Agents said while winter conditions have increased sheep numbers, strong processor demand continues to underpin prices, particularly for well-finished export stock. However, ongoing dry weather is making restockers more cautious, particularly in the lighter lamb and mutton categories.