The Australia Day public holiday might be lambs time to take centre stage on BBQ’s across the country, but they were certainly missing from the yards. The latest supply data gives us saleyard throughput for the week of the public holiday and even considering the typical drop in numbers, we’ve never seen yardings this low at this time in the season.
While yardings always drop due to the public holiday in the last reporting week of January, just 71,233 head of lambs were sent to the yards, which is 30% lower than the same time last year. All states contributed to the light saleyard throughput for sheep and lambs.
For the week ending the 28th of January lamb slaughter lifted by 2.5% to see 282,981 lambs processed in the east. This was only around 3% below the level of the same week in 2021, but it’s tallying up the year to date slaughter where we get the picture of how slaughter capacity has been impacted by the workforce disruptions. Comparing the last four weeks of slaughter to the corresponding weeks in 2021, 16% fewer lambs have been processed so far this year. Comparing to the five year average it’s an even more stark difference of 26%.
70,307 sheep were processed in the east last week which was down slightly on the week prior. The total number of sheep slaughtered in the last four weeks is 25% fewer than the same period last year.
Much of the movements in saleyard prices this week were corrections on last week. The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator fell 10¢ to 843¢/kg cwt. The National Restocker Lamb dropped 13¢ after last weeks 32¢ gain. Most categories fell significantly in NSW, with trade lambs down 57¢, but Merino lambs were the strength with a 66¢ lift to 828¢/kg cwt.
The market was more mixed and less dramatic in Victoria, where Heavy lambs improved 23¢, and there was little change in Merino and Trade lamb prices. Mutton continued to receive support with the National Mutton Indicator gaining 10¢ over the week to 592¢/kg cwt.
The week ahead….
As we reported in this week’s analysis, the export market demand outlook is very positive and price supportive. On the domestic front, how long slaughter capacity & therefore processor buying activity will remain subdued is the unknown, but with the Omicron peak estimated as passed, we can hope that it will be less of an issue in the weeks ahead.
Australia’s total sheepmeat exports dropped 3% year-on-year for the month of May but remains 1% above 2024 for the year-to-date. Trump and all his tariff
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.
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.
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.
Big week for lamb, but not at the yards
While yardings always drop due to the public holiday in the last reporting week of January, just 71,233 head of lambs were sent to the yards, which is 30% lower than the same time last year. All states contributed to the light saleyard throughput for sheep and lambs.
For the week ending the 28th of January lamb slaughter lifted by 2.5% to see 282,981 lambs processed in the east. This was only around 3% below the level of the same week in 2021, but it’s tallying up the year to date slaughter where we get the picture of how slaughter capacity has been impacted by the workforce disruptions. Comparing the last four weeks of slaughter to the corresponding weeks in 2021, 16% fewer lambs have been processed so far this year. Comparing to the five year average it’s an even more stark difference of 26%.
70,307 sheep were processed in the east last week which was down slightly on the week prior. The total number of sheep slaughtered in the last four weeks is 25% fewer than the same period last year.
Much of the movements in saleyard prices this week were corrections on last week. The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator fell 10¢ to 843¢/kg cwt. The National Restocker Lamb dropped 13¢ after last weeks 32¢ gain. Most categories fell significantly in NSW, with trade lambs down 57¢, but Merino lambs were the strength with a 66¢ lift to 828¢/kg cwt.
The market was more mixed and less dramatic in Victoria, where Heavy lambs improved 23¢, and there was little change in Merino and Trade lamb prices. Mutton continued to receive support with the National Mutton Indicator gaining 10¢ over the week to 592¢/kg cwt.
The week ahead….
As we reported in this week’s analysis, the export market demand outlook is very positive and price supportive. On the domestic front, how long slaughter capacity & therefore processor buying activity will remain subdued is the unknown, but with the Omicron peak estimated as passed, we can hope that it will be less of an issue in the weeks ahead.
Have any questions or comments?
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Data sources:
MLA, NLRS, Mecardo
Categories
Have any questions or comments?
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
Aussie lamb still leaping overseas
Australia’s total sheepmeat exports dropped 3% year-on-year for the month of May but remains 1% above 2024 for the year-to-date. Trump and all his tariff
Back to the paddock, lambs start to surge
The rise and rise of the sheep and lamb market over the past month has all Meat & Livestock Australia price indicators sitting at between
How long will the peak last
Lamb prices were literally off the charts last week. You know the market is doing extraordinary things when you have to increase the scale on
Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks
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.
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE
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.