THERE are few clear pricing signals to be had in export beef processors’ ‘opening gambit’ direct consignment slaughter grids for the start of the 2026 season.

Some large plants only re-started their chains on Monday; while others do not open their season for another week, meaning it may be another week or two before clearer slaughter cattle price signals emerge – especially in the light of recent developments including China tariffs on imported meat.

In Queensland one large multi-site export processor has not yet offered 2026 grids to suppliers, relying on cattle brought forward late last year (at late December grid values) for this week’s kills.

Another large operator has active grids in place for kills next week, at money very close to or identical to late December rates.

Rain in parts of Queensland, and flooding in the northwest and lower gulf region is causing logistics challenges in some areas, and may yet cause the loss of a day’s work or two at a couple of sites, Beef Central was told.

However the long-term benefit from the rain will be significant, guaranteeing another solid late summer/autumn season for many in the northern regions of Australia.

While it is risky to read too much into the current week’s grid offers given the circumstances described above, set out below are some representative over-the-hooks quotes. Several operators suggested these would probably have been 10c/kg lower, except for the current rain impact on supply. There is no clear evidence yet of any impact from recent news about China quotas on meat or livestock pricing.

Several plants in southern Queensland have active offers this week of 750c/kg on good quality heavy cows, and 830c/kg on four-tooth grass ox (840c available for HGP-free in some grids). Both are similar to late last year, with cows easing 10c from 760c in mid-December.

Central Queensland plants (at least those that are operating this week) are 10c behind those rates.

Further south, direct consignment prices are also similar to late-season rates last year.

A large operator in southern NSW has offers this week of 730c/kg on good heavy cows and 830c/kg on four-tooth grass ox, but stressed that it already had considerable numbers on the books.

In Eastern regions of South Australia, some plants have stopped quoting due to solid supply, but best recent offers were 790c/kg on good cows and 840c the steer, both back 10c on late last year.