Reading the EYCI and lamb indicators

A plain-English guide to the MLA cattle, lamb and mutton indicators.

Meat & Livestock Australia publishes daily price indicators that the whole industry uses as a benchmark. Here's how to read the ones on AgIndex.

The EYCI

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator is a seven-day rolling average of young cattle sold through saleyards across Queensland, NSW and Victoria. It covers vealer and yearling steers and heifers of at least 200kg liveweight, in C2 or C3 grade (MLA).

It's quoted in cents per kilogram carcase weight (c/kg cwt), not liveweight. So an EYCI of 971c doesn't mean a 300kg steer is worth 300 x 971c. To compare with a liveweight price you'd need to allow for dressing percentage.

MLA notes the EYCI is now made up mostly of restocker buyers, so it's a good read on restocker confidence (MLA). WA producers can watch the Western Young Cattle Indicator.

Liveweight cattle indicators

The heavy steer and processor cow indicators on AgIndex are quoted in cents per kilogram liveweight (c/kg lwt). They're closer to what you see on a saleyard docket for those classes.

Lamb and mutton

The trade lamb, heavy lamb and mutton indicators are national, quoted in c/kg carcase weight. Trade lambs are the lighter weights mostly bought for the domestic market; heavy lambs are the heavier weights favoured for export. The exact weight and fat score bands are in MLA's indicator specifications (MLA).

Reading them sensibly

They're averages across many sales. Your stock will sell above or below depending on weight, condition, breed and who's buying.
Day-to-day moves are often small. Look at the trend over weeks.
Check whether a price is carcase weight or liveweight before comparing.

Related: today's cattle, lamb and mutton indicators. Data: MLA. General information only.

Sources

General information only, not financial, legal or agronomic advice. Check details with the manufacturer, your dealer and product labels. Last reviewed 16 October 2026. Spot an error? Tell us.