{
  "id": 16266073,
  "title": "Cattle prices hit 'a new gear' as rain tumbles down",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/cattle-prices-hit-a-new-gear-as-rain-tumbles-down",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T02:06:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-24/australian-cattle-prices-hit-record-highs-as-rain-tumbles-down/107303254"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cattle prices skyrocketed this week due to heavy rainfall in key production regions of Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Meat and Livestock Australia's benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) surged past 1,000 cents per kilogram, signaling a significant boost in the cattle market. Stuart Bull, MLA's market information manager, noted that the market had entered a new phase, driven by the recent rainfall and reduced cattle numbers coming to market. At Roma, some weaner steers from the Winton region fetched an astonishing $7 per kilogram, equivalent to over $1,900 per head. Similarly, at Dubbo, restocker demand spurred a market surge, with young cattle selling up to 80 cents per kilogram higher than the previous week. Scott Loughnan, a mixed farming operation owner near Roma, had received more than 160 millimeters of rain, which he was optimistic about for his upcoming winter crops. Meanwhile, MLA's national processor cow indicator reached a record high of $4 per kilogram, and the national heavy steer indicator also hit a new high of $4.77 per kilogram. Global AgriTrends livestock analyst Simon Quilty attributed the strong demand to a tight supply of heavy steers and feedlot competition, forecasting a 20% increase in cattle prices to around $5.70 per kilogram next year.",
  "summary": "Price records were broken in the cattle market this week as widespread rain fell across Queensland and northern New South Wales.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}