The question around saleyards this week, as cattle numbers decline, is will Australia be able to keep up the supply moving forward?
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Most parts of the country have experienced severe droughts before but never one to coincide with a significant flood which alone resulted in the loss of over 600,000 cattle.
History shows stock shortages in the past have resulted in price increases.
In 2016, coming out of the drought, prices peaked at 725 cents a kilogram for young cattle.
This time around the potential for less numbers is imminent.
Which way will the dice roll?
Some processors predict the market will not be sustainable if prices continue to increase as spring approaches.
The majority of sale centres penned less cattle this past week.
Meat & Livestock Australia's National Livestock Reporting Service reported yardings lacked finish with seasonal conditions now clearly having a strong impact.
The trade market continues to struggle to find good numbers of quality yearlings to suit the domestic market, with feedlot buyers continuing to apply pressure.
Domestic processors have meat staying on their shelves as households tighten their purse strings in favour of pork and chicken.
Despite the competition, prices eased across most centres.
Leongatha trade steers slipped 2c/kg, selling between 322-349c/kg, and the heifer portion eased up to 13c/kg, making between 320-335c/kg.
Feedlot buyers have a large presence across the the prime cattle markets, often outbidding processors who are reluctant to pay the high prices.
Wagga Wagga, NSW, continues to yard the top-priced feeder cattle with steers reaching 348c/kg for the good medium weights.
The red hot grown steer and bullock market witnessed over the past few weeks has lost some momentum.
Well-finished steers were noticeably thinner on the ground.
Leongatha, where the past weeks have been outstanding both in supply and prices, showed a slight price correction of a couple of cents in the bullock run reaching 355c/kg.
Wagga grown steers slid 11c/kg and bullocks 16c/kg, selling between 290-340c/kg.
The high ride in the cow market has taken a step back, with markets recording increased price corrections day-on-day this week.
Although the numbers have remained strong, processors are reluctant to continue to pay premiums.
At Wagga on Monday, heavy cows sold between 245-284c/kg, diving down 25c/kg.
Pakenham 3 and 4 score cows were making between 270-308c/kg, easing 11c/kg.
Shepparton's cow numbers dominated the market, making up roughly 65 per cent of the yarding, the heavy portion selling between 250-282c/kg.
