Producers appeared keen to get lambs to the saleyard before winter arrived, with a spike in throughput in NSW last week. Most categories of lamb in the east moved lower over the week, however, mutton managed to move higher, yet again.
Lambs were out in force at NSW saleyards. Throughput for the week ending the 28th of May in NSW jumped 57% week on week, with the number of lambs yarded 26% higher than the five-year seasonal average. This was the driver of a 33% lift in east coast lamb yardings, with 215,755 head yarded. The number of sheep yarded in the east was slightly lower than the week prior (-0.7%), as increased numbers in NSW offset a drop in South Australia.
No slaughter data is available for last week due to technical issues, so we will have to catch up on these figures once they are released.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator was 27ȼ lower on the week, sitting at 817ȼ/kg cwt. In NSW, Restocker lambs were worth 911ȼ/kg cwt, up 74ȼ on the week. All other categories moved lower in NSW. Merino lambs failed to gather much attention, dropping 52ȼ.
In Victoria, the market was weaker across the board, with disruptions to processing with JBS at a halt, and the state-wide lockdown. Trade lambs in Victoria lost 44ȼ on the week, while heavy lambs dropped 25ȼ and restockers 135ȼ.
In the West, the market was stronger again. The Western Australian Trade Lamb Indicator was 34ȼ higher in the week to Wednesday, ending at 753ȼ/kg cwt. All categories saw significant gains, with light lambs and restocker lambs most in favour, lifting 73ȼ and 70ȼ respectively.
For Mutton, demand was generally stronger, with the National Mutton Indicator lifting 6ȼ week on week to 662ȼ/kg cwt. This is just higher year on year, but when converted to USD terms the NMI is at 512ȼ/kg cwt which is up 12% on the same time last year. Earlier in the week, Jamie-Lee took a look at the mutton job and whether it might be a good time to turn-off any underperformers (view here)
The week ahead….
The Bureau of Meteorology have released a very wet-looking winter rainfall forecast. For most of the country, excluding parts of WA, the forecast is for at least a 50% or greater chance of exceeding median rainfall. This will add to the confidence of producers, and if delivered, another big spring lamb season will be in store.
Back to business, and the saleyards have seen stock flood the yards. The sharks were circling as the mutton momentum continued. Indicators took the elevator
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A turn before winter
Lambs were out in force at NSW saleyards. Throughput for the week ending the 28th of May in NSW jumped 57% week on week, with the number of lambs yarded 26% higher than the five-year seasonal average. This was the driver of a 33% lift in east coast lamb yardings, with 215,755 head yarded. The number of sheep yarded in the east was slightly lower than the week prior (-0.7%), as increased numbers in NSW offset a drop in South Australia.
No slaughter data is available for last week due to technical issues, so we will have to catch up on these figures once they are released.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator was 27ȼ lower on the week, sitting at 817ȼ/kg cwt. In NSW, Restocker lambs were worth 911ȼ/kg cwt, up 74ȼ on the week. All other categories moved lower in NSW. Merino lambs failed to gather much attention, dropping 52ȼ.
In Victoria, the market was weaker across the board, with disruptions to processing with JBS at a halt, and the state-wide lockdown. Trade lambs in Victoria lost 44ȼ on the week, while heavy lambs dropped 25ȼ and restockers 135ȼ.
In the West, the market was stronger again. The Western Australian Trade Lamb Indicator was 34ȼ higher in the week to Wednesday, ending at 753ȼ/kg cwt. All categories saw significant gains, with light lambs and restocker lambs most in favour, lifting 73ȼ and 70ȼ respectively.
For Mutton, demand was generally stronger, with the National Mutton Indicator lifting 6ȼ week on week to 662ȼ/kg cwt. This is just higher year on year, but when converted to USD terms the NMI is at 512ȼ/kg cwt which is up 12% on the same time last year. Earlier in the week, Jamie-Lee took a look at the mutton job and whether it might be a good time to turn-off any underperformers (view here)
The week ahead….
The Bureau of Meteorology have released a very wet-looking winter rainfall forecast. For most of the country, excluding parts of WA, the forecast is for at least a 50% or greater chance of exceeding median rainfall. This will add to the confidence of producers, and if delivered, another big spring lamb season will be in store.
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Data sources: MLA, NLRS, Mecardo
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Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
MEET THE TEAM
Our team of market analysts are recognised as leaders in Australian Ag market analysis, providing invaluable insights to help you navigate the ever-changing commodity landscape.
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We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.