Cattle prices jumped this week after heavy rain fell across key production areas in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Meat and Livestock Australia's benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator rose above 1,000 cents a kilogram. The national processor cow indicator reached a record $4 a kilogram, and the heavy steer indicator hit $4.77. Analyst Simon Quilty said tight supply and competition between processors and feedlots drove demand, and he forecasts heavy steer prices to rise about 20 per cent next year.
Sheep and lamb prices improved sharply at Warwick livestock markets in the week ending October 9, with 2,139 head averaging $191.47, up $29 per head. Buyers competed for heavier processing stock, and ewes recorded a strong gain of $45. Cattle numbers held close to recent levels, with 1,042 head yarded at an average of $1,410.72 per head. Better-finished cattle attracted firm competition, while poorer-conditioned stock was harder to sell. Pig and poultry numbers were also reported.
A Brahman bull from Cambil Brahmans, Proserpine, sold for $47,500, the top price at the Great Northern sale in Proserpine on Friday, October 23. Vendor Lawson Camm said buyers came from as far west as the Northern Territory. Terry Randall of Crinum Brahmans, Tieri, bought the bull through StockLive. The sale cleared all 63 lots for a gross of $596,000, with an average of $9460. The top red bull, Badilla Dario, sold for $20,000 to the Parker family of Clare Station, Jericho.
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Producers seeking accreditation or re-accreditation under the Livestock Production Assurance program must now upload or create an On-farm Biosecurity Management Plan for each property linked to their account. The plans show how farmers prevent pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants from entering, spreading within or leaving their property. Producers are advised to contact their industry peak body, which can often provide biosecurity planning information.
France has confirmed the death of the first person known to have been infected with Shamonda virus, a disease previously thought unable to pass to humans. The patient died earlier this month in Lyon and had a severely weakened immune system. Officials say neurological complications were most likely linked to the infection, but the case is considered exceptional. Preliminary evidence suggests the patient was bitten by an insect. The French government says there is no risk to the general public, while investigations continue.
NSW primary industries have recorded a second consecutive financial record, with production valued at $26 billion for 2025–26, according to figures from the state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The total rose four per cent, adding $1 billion to the state economy despite variable seasons and higher input costs. Livestock grew 25 per cent to $11.9 billion, driven by record beef exports of $3.7 billion. Barley reached a record $1.1 billion, while horticulture totalled $3.7 billion. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty announced the results in NSW Parliament.
Entries are now open for the 2027 Paddock to Palate Competition, presented by JBS Australia, as the event marks its 30th anniversary. The competition assesses cattle from feedlot efficiency to carcase quality and consumer taste testing. Its first judging phase takes place at JBS Beef City feedlot west of Toowoomba. Organisers say the results give producers performance data to guide breeding, feeding and marketing decisions. Entries for Classes 37, 38 and 40 close on Friday 4 December 2026.
A Minlacowie bull has topped the CQ Invitational Droughtmaster sale for a second consecutive year. The 22-month-old Minlacowie Camelot sold for $45,000 to Josh Perry of Strathfield Droughtmasters, Clermont. Of 45 bulls offered by seven studs, 40 sold for a gross of $472,000 and an average of $11,800. Mr Perry said he judged the bull on looks first and used data only as a check. Nicole Mills said Camelot was a standout young sire with strong potential.
The inaugural Cattlemen's Choice sale at the Dalby saleyard on October 16 offered 77 bulls across three breeds from three New South Wales studs. The top-price bull, a Simmental named Daraabah Wolfy W550, sold for $11,000 to Greg and Bridgette Ehrlich from Wandoan. Simmental bulls sold best, with 12 of 17 selling at an average of $7666.67. Six of 25 Charolais bulls and 10 of 35 black composite bulls also sold. The Ehrlichs said they plan to breed their own bulls on their 3000-hectare property, and the vendors said they will return to Dalby next year.
The top-priced bull at the 2026 Roma Droughtmaster Bull Sale, Karragarra Wyesby, sold for $40,000 to the Childs family of Glenlands J Droughtmasters. The 20-month-old bull was offered by Wayne York of Karragarra Droughtmasters. In the ring, 61 of 75 bulls sold, an 82 per cent clearance with a $9672 average. Four more lots sold after the sale, lifting the clearance to 87 per cent. The buyers said the bull impressed them in person and expect a strong result from the females they have chosen to mate with him.
South Australian stud Woonallee Simmentals has cleared all 48 bulls offered at its first Queensland sale, held at the Taroom Showgrounds. Forty-four bulls sold on the day, with the rest selling after the sale, for an average of $8625. The top-priced bull, Woonallee Nashville V192, sold for $35,000 to Kevin and Janice Hard of Western Australia. Stud principal Tom Baker said the bulls were being brought to buyers in the north, where drought had reduced cow herds in Tamworth.
Livestock producers in Bass Coast and South Gippsland seeking Livestock Production Assurance accreditation or reaccreditation must now upload or create a biosecurity management plan for every property linked to their account. The requirement applies at both accreditation and renewal. Agriculture Victoria dairy industry development officer Richard Smith outlined the changes. A plan records how producers prevent threats such as disease, pests, weeds and contaminants from entering or spreading beyond their property. Templates are available from Agriculture Victoria, Animal Health Australia and Integrity Systems.
The NSW Government has released a six-year Cattle Tick Strategy that shifts the fight against the parasite from individual farms to entire regions. The plan adds increased surveillance, area-wide movement controls and coordinated treatment of infested properties. NSW will be divided into high, medium and low-risk areas, with resources focused on high and medium-risk districts. The government says $21 million will be spent on cattle tick management over three financial years from 2026-27. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the government remains committed to eradication.
The Royal Geelong Show returns to the Geelong Showgrounds for four days from 15 to 18 October, with family activities, entertainment and animals. President Tom McCann says this year's show will be bigger and better, with new competitions and a wider range of pavilions, livestock and arena attractions. The shearing competition has been revitalised, and a mural has been painted on the sheep shed. Fireworks will follow the evening arena show on Friday and Saturday nights. The show is run by volunteers, and McCann thanked them for their work.
The 50th Rockhampton Brangus Sale saw 202 of 218 bulls sell, with an average of $15,347 and a 93 per cent clearance rate. The top price of $110,000 was paid by Paul and Catherine Mackenzie of Arizona, Dingo, for Gunnadoo Park Quickstep, a bull bred by Jeff Parker of Gunnadoo Park, Manilla, NSW. The Mackenzies plan to use the bull to breed future sires for their commercial operation. Buyers came from across Queensland and into NSW, with Westmoor Pastoral Co of Injune taking the largest order of 10 bulls.
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A champion ram from the English Leicester breed, named Bill, has won the top prize at the Camperdown Show. The award comes during a successful season for the animal and its owners. The source material is brief and does not describe the owners, the judging criteria or the prize details. Other headlines on the same page cover unrelated local topics, including ditch driving to support a national day and ongoing rental supply and demand issues in a city. The page is dated October 13, 2026, and includes bylines from Hannah Toohey and Molly Inglis.
A livestock railway reminder has been issued by an authority, according to the headline. The accompanying page text, however, carries only unrelated local news items, including a Nalangil farmer's win of the Supreme Charolais Exhibit title at the 2026 Royal Melbourne Show. Other listings cover a Farmers Federation forum on Polwarth, a weekly market dip, and new drought grants. No details of the railway reminder itself, such as its content, date, or the issuing body, are provided in the text supplied.
Bill, an English Leicester ram, claimed top honours at the Camperdown Show, capping a successful season for his owners. Lily Blackmore, Bella Blackmore, David Shalders and Joshua Holmes were pictured with the champion animal at the event on Saturday. The photograph was published on October 13, 2026, alongside a note that the show's winning sheep had enjoyed a strong run of results. Readers wanting to join the discussion will need a subscription, as only paying subscribers can comment on articles.
A New South Wales Brangus stud topped the female offering at the Rockhampton Brangus Sale on Monday, October 12. Ell Parker, of Parkavenue Livestock in Attunga, sold Parkavenue Willa for $15,000 to the Marshall family of Crescent 9, Springsure. Of 53 stud females offered, 47 sold, an 89 per cent clearance with an average of $6979. Truck issues stretched Ms Parker's trip to 17 hours. Second top price was $14,000 for Night N183, bought by KA Symonds and RF Cann of Chinchilla. In the commercial catalogue, all 40 pens sold, averaging $1842 a head.
Pastoralists are using technology to improve the survival of newborn calves. At Winning Station, near Coral Bay in Western Australia, Kim Forrester uses a phone and tablet to track water tanks and cattle data. Researchers at Central Queensland University are fitting cows with ear tags and GPS collars similar to Fitbit activity monitors. At Manbulloo Station near Katherine, Christie Pearson is studying maternal behaviour in 140 cows. Senior researcher Anita Chang is monitoring 100 cows at Belmont Station in Rockhampton. Mr Forrester said surviving calves is the biggest profit driver.
