Warwick Livestock Market Holds Firm Despite Winter Slowdown
LIVESTOCK MARKETS – WARWICK & DISTRICT | Week Ending June 26, 2026
The shortest day of the year delivered smaller yardings at Warwick this week, but despite the winter slowdown, most livestock categories held firm as buyers continued to compete for quality stock.
A total of 865 cattle and 1,018 sheep and lambs were yarded, with agents reporting solid demand across well-finished lines. The only weakness in the market came from unfinished and lighter conditioned stock, which eased in value as buyers became more selective.
With the end of the financial year approaching and seasonal conditions continuing to influence producer decisions, weather remains the key factor likely to determine yarding numbers over the coming weeks.
The cattle market again produced encouraging results across most categories.
Bulls averaged 417c/kg, reaching a top of 470.2c/kg, returning between $2,297.07 and $4,153.54.
Cows averaged 327.7c/kg, topping at 400c/kg, with returns ranging from $1,671.76 to $2,678.60.
Demand for younger cattle remained particularly strong.
Feeder steers averaged an impressive 491.8c/kg, peaking at 600.2c/kg, selling between $1,783.97 and $2,504.67.
Feeder heifers averaged 405.6c/kg, topping at 486.2c/kg, while yearling steers averaged 499.8c/kg, reaching 574.2c/kg. Yearling heifers averaged 420.4c/kg, topping at 492.2c/kg.
Among the lighter cattle, vealer steers averaged 471.4c/kg, peaking at 582.2c/kg, while vealer heifers averaged 415.7c/kg, topping at 488.2c/kg.
Finished heifers averaged 374.9c/kg, with a top price of 438.2c/kg.
Across all classes, the 865-head cattle sale averaged $1,525.31 per head, reflecting another consistent performance for vendors despite reduced numbers.
The sheep and lamb market remained generally firm even though several regular buyers were absent.
Trade and processing lambs continued to attract solid competition, although averages eased slightly as more unfinished and feeder types entered the market.
Lambs topped at $320, averaging $234.04, down $32 per head on last week.
Hoggets improved, topping at $268 and averaging $239.19, an increase of $20 per head.
Ram lambs reached $257 to average $169, while ewes topped at $232, averaging $157.49.
Wethers sold to $232, averaging $221, while rams reached $194 and averaged $181.27.
The overall sheep and lamb yarding of 1,018 head averaged $218.81 per head, representing a modest decline of $9 per head from the previous week.
Several quality consignments attracted strong bidding throughout the sale.
The Wilsonton High School Agriculture Class recorded the highest lamb price of the day, selling shorn Dorset lambs weighing 60kg for $320, with another line of 56.5kg lambs making $313.
The Davey Family sold Australian White lambs to $317, while Hellyar Family Trust received up to $301 for Dorper lambs.
Bruce and Caitlin Ole sold sucker lambs to $272, while Clifton High School achieved $300 for a quality run of Dorper lambs.
In the pig section, numbers remained solid with most entries again comprising store stock.
Prices were generally firm on the previous week, with sows selling from $170 to $370, boars making $110 to $120, baconers reaching $205, porkers selling from $170 to $330, and store pigs making between $85 and $192.
Overall, Warwick’s winter market continued to demonstrate the resilience of both buyers and vendors. While seasonal conditions have reduced yardings and shifted supply towards lighter, unfinished stock, competition for quality livestock remains strong, providing encouraging returns across most categories as the industry moves into the second half of the year.
APL/ MC DOUGALL & SONS SHEEP & LAMB REPORT WARWICK & DISTRICT LIVESTOCK MARKETS
