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 […]
Protection from rising prices
The price of everything is seemingly rising. For those in livestock feeding industries freight and energy costs will be biting at margins, but the main input is grain for feed. The concern around grain prices rising too is well founded, but there is at least something that can be done to protect against it. Wheat […]
Relating cattle supply to price
The Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Cattle Industry projections were released last week. The Industry Projections are an important outlook for cattle supply, being herd and slaughter, along with estimates on things like exports and live export, so it should be easy to work out a what prices will do. Not really. The herd is […]
Lighter cattle come forward
Volatile rainfall across the country, the Middle East conflict driven energy shock and even a new trade deal for Australia are all factors that will look to impact the cattle market in the coming months. This week at least the market reaction to lighter cattle and higher costs was an easing of saleyard cattle indicators. […]
Supply and Pricing lower again
The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) fell for the second week in a row this week despite a week on week decline in supply. The EMI finished the week at 1724c which was 27c lower than last week. Bales offered fell from 42,278 last week to 39,673 this week. The lower bale offering gave some respite […]
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 […]
Beware the Headlines
Whether or not the “new way” markets operate is here to stay or not, this week was a clear example of headline driven trade impacting the market. Early in the week, Donald Trump posted on social media that “good, productive talks aimed at a complete resolution of the armed conflict” had taken place with Tehran. […]
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 […]
Merino micron premiums and discounts
The difference in price across merino micron categories in percentage terms is low at present, while reasonable in nominal cents per kg terms, less so when adjusted for inflation. As this is an area merino producers can add value through adjusting quality (fibre diameter) it is time to check in what is going on. Twenty […]
Lamb and mutton supply to tighten but can prices rise?
The conflict in the Middle East has had minimal impact on local grain or livestock prices as of yet, especially sheep meat. Forward pricing for lambs has been released, further fortifying store lamb prices. As outlined a fortnight ago there are some potential clouds on the horizon for lamb demand. The issues with lamb and […]
Light lambs higher again
Return to a normal sale week but the rainfall and economic conditions have changed. Light lambs continue to track higher to both processors and restockers. It was a mixed week for saleyard indicators. The National Mutton Indicator (NMI) dropped 11¢ to 792¢/kg cwt despite flat supply. Lamb indicators all averaged single digit gains or losses […]
Markets are now pricing in higher energy costs?
I’ve spoken before about the role of speculators and managed money in agricultural markets. Realistically, something like 96% of participants in CBOT—or any other trading venue for that matter—couldn’t tell a wheat plant from a power plant. One of the key factors that had been capping prices and limiting rallies was the large net short […]