Trade lambs reach new high tide mark
Some much-needed rain and lower supply have joined forces to push lamb prices to records as we approach winter in earnest. Expectations have been for supply to tick lower on the approach to winter, but historic trends don’t make it rain. In June, saleyard throughput typically tracks lower, lambs average a 12% decline MoM in […]
Big moves on and off the kill floor
Temperatures are dropping, but supply and slaughter continue to trek higher as big news on and off the kill floor stole the show after minimal movement on the price front. The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) lost 13c this week to 721c/kg cwt, and for the most part, the majority of indicators managed just single-digit […]
Big week for big lambs
Heavy lamb price records tumbled this week in Victoria as we approach the home straight on heavy lamb supply. It wasn’t just the heavy weights that caught buyers’ eyes as Light lambs also saw $1/kg improvement this week at the yards. Despite the extremes in conditions, pricing and numbers driving the lamb and sheep market […]
Will cattle stay or will they go?
The dry conditions in the south and lush conditions in the north currently look like providing balance to the seesaw of saleyard cattle supply and demand. The musical chairs of heavy turnoff cattle might be starting to ramp up, so how will processors pivot? Easing supply pressure and more northern rainfall have contributed to an […]
Slaughter not slacking either
Supply eased this week after a frenetic fortnight of lamb and sheep liquidation. An 18% decrease in lamb throughput and keen interest for lambs coming off feed pushed lamb markets higher while mutton markets eased slightly despite 25% lower supply. In the last four weeks, Sheep slaughter has tracked below year-ago levels despite the big […]
Sheep running not walking to the yards
The mutton miracle we’ve seen over the last month brought forward a significant jump in numbers this week, taking some of the heat out of the market. The saleyards were inundated with sheep this week, with producers looking to cash in on the miraculous mutton prices seen in April. Mutton supply was 21% higher week […]
Mutton momentum continues
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 up, and it’s evident that processors are ramping up the pressure at the rail per MLA saleyard reports. In Wagga, good quality lambs got bidders competing fiercely, and quality didn’t […]
Mutton leaps over the $5 mark
After a February to forget, April has started with a bang. Miracle mutton continues to march upward, and the seasonality of supply is now setting the saleyard agenda for lamb markets. NLRS reported that national lamb yardings at the time of writing sat at 171,000 head, which is a 18% week-on-week decline, tilting the supply […]
Rain makes oats, oats makes gains
Easing supply had a role to play; however, heavier saleyard offerings and channel country rainfall have gotten the ball rolling on demand once again in cattle markets this week. Queensland remains the driver of the market, and the scales have tipped in favour of demand once again. Feeder steers were in hot demand in Dalby […]
Mutton well ahead on last season
Lamb indicators at a national level across the board saw easing demand as the offering for the most part was a reflection of the seasonal conditions to date. Saleyard reports per the MLA noted strong demand for grain-fed animals in Wagga and other centers saw notable easing for secondary types. Lamb indicators averaged a 2-7% […]
Merino lambs catching up
Lambs continue to reclaim the saleyards, with mutton prices remain the beneficiary. With the Easter and the Anzac Day breaks approaching, the top end trade lambs continue to support pricing as the Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) improved 7¢ to 801¢/kg cwt. National Trade lamb indicator rose 9¢ to 795¢/kg cwt with saleyard reports […]
Wonder week for wool
With much lower supply already flagged last week for the wool market, prospects looked favourable heading in. The result exceeded expectations with all micron categories improving week on week and the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) jumping 30¢ to 1225¢/kg, it’s highest value since May 2023. A 22% decline in the offering was just what the […]
