Decade high slaughter doesn’t dampen market
The cattle market responded positively to lesser throughput and areas of rainfall this week, with prices lifting right across the board. Slaughter has remained historically high, above 160,000 head, for the past three weeks, further indicating good market sentiment as prices keep above year-ago levels. Cows and heifers had the most upward momentum across all […]
Sheep slaughter falling short of forecasts
We’ve been hearing about the short supply of sheep and lamb for some time, but with a third of the year now gone, we can get a gauge on how many have already gone through the production system, and what that might mean for the rest of 2026. So far this year, national sheep and […]
Back to the paddock demand lifts light lambs
There was a clear divide between buying types this week, as most indicators remained fully firm to higher with the exception of heavy lambs and mutton, as the short week in some states saw sheep supply lighten off and processors seemingly take their foot ever so slightly off the gas. Restockers, however, haven’t gone into […]
Supply starts to outpace cow demand
High herd numbers and less than ideal seasonal conditions in parts of the country, teamed with seasonal ramping up of activity post-wet season, has meant cattle turn-off has increased substantially in the past two months. Nationally, Australia had the largest monthly yarding of cows on record in March, and Meat & Livestock Australia are now […]
Yards still full of NSW cows
The cattle sell-off kept on keeping on this week with national yardings dipping ever so slightly from last week to the second-highest level for 2026 so far. As expected in last week’s cattle wrap up, little happened this week to slow the flow out of NSW in particular, with Meat & Livestock Australia confirming today […]
Middle East and mutton make mark on sheep meat exports
Lamb exports didn’t miss a beat in March, demonstrating demand is – for now at least – still countering strong domestic pricing and global unrest. Volumes were slightly below the record tonnages of the previous two years, but still historically high and kept year-to-date totals fairly on-par. Mutton exports, however, are starting to feel the […]
The search for sheep still surging
A return to a normal trading week meant a significant uptick in supply, putting the lamb market under pressure for the first time in a while, but it didn’t stop mutton making up even more ground and reaching record highs. The scramble for sheep supply which has been anticipated seems to be eventuating, as consecutive […]
Chinese deadline pushes exports higher as EU FTA disappoints
Australian beef exports have steamed through March coming in just shy of 150,000, making it the second-highest monthly export volume on record. Consistently strong supply from Australia this year has supported the export trade, as has demand out of the US, which took more than 40,000 tonnes for the first month so far this year, […]
Short weeks don’t stop market surge
Two short weeks didn’t slow the sheep and lamb market, with national indicators in the green right across the board, and restocker lambs now above $12/kg for the first time. Total combined yardings lifted week-on-week but were still at public holiday impacted levels comparative to the rest of this year, with Easter trading the only […]
Forecast flock figure finally falls
Australian sheep flock estimates for the next three years are now more closely reflecting industry insights and assumptions after consecutive poor seasonal conditions in many sheep producing areas. Meat & Livestock Australia’s March Sheep Projections for 2026 are now out, and this year’s flock number has been revised about 8 million head lower since the […]
Sheep and lamb market not slowing
A new record saleyard price for lambs was set this week and the restocker lamb price continued its surge upwards. More rain falling across the southeast of the country and diminishing supply has only meant positive things for the sheep and lamb market, despite prices not traditionally showing much upward momentum at this time of […]
Herd to maintain momentum despite record production
Historically high cattle slaughter and beef production will continue in Australia in 2026 according to the latest Meat & Livestock Australia industry projections. Despite being in a traditional turn-off period, the herd is also expected to maintain current levels in the short term, before dropping in the coming years. Domestic cattle prices are expected to […]