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 […]
Bumper numbers out of NSW motivate buyers to hit the road
With Northern NSW saleyards getting a flush of supply, buyers are hitting the road on the lookout for value leaving some empty car spaces at the major yards this week. Post easter return saw a flush of cattle come forward with the biggest yarding of the year so far, 106k head per NLRS. 52% out […]
Prices rise after the Easter recess
Prices have risen again after the Easter recess with the EMI up 39¢ to 1825¢. This price rises comes after an increased bale offering up 8513 to 44,765 – a 23.5% increase compared to the previous sale, which also recorded significant price rises. All in, these rises have brought the EMI to its highest level […]
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, […]
Varying estimates of the Australian sheep flock
There is always some variation between flock size estimates, depending on the time of year the estimate is made, the quality of survey and the method of estimation. However the current situation has a 10 million head difference between the main estimates, which in a flock of 55-67 million is a large variation. The wool […]
Grains can’t find support
While rising energy prices are pushing the cost of everything higher, grain prices continue to track sideways. Canola tried to have a rally but fell into a hole on the back of easing crude oil prices, with wheat also in decline. Global uncertainty is afflicting a lot of markets, but cropping commodities remain relatively immune. […]
Flock heading to a 125 year low
Short weeks and an altered scheduled means it’s been three weeks before we take a close look at Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Sheep Industry Projections. While there is plenty of forecasts of interest, the standout is the fact that despite record lamb prices, the flock is to remain in decline. The change in the […]
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 […]
Short week, minor decline
After the easter break the uneven balance of yardings and slaughter numbers typically mask underlying sentiment of the market. Uncertainty of diesel costs and wide-ranging side effects of the Iran conflict on global trade, currency and consumer sentiment continue to muddy the waters. At the moment where rain has been received, demand remains strong. Indicators […]
Dire Straits
Commodity markets are being pulled in multiple directions all at once. A tenuous cease fire announced this week brought a broad sell off, with crude oil plunging 14% at one point with wheat following suit. Confusion remains around what exactly a cease fire entails as conflict continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed […]
Oil and fibre prices
Armed conflict around Iran and the consequent choking of freight from the Persian Gulf via the Strait Hormuz has driven oil prices to high levels. The economic effects of high oil prices are manifold. In this article we take a look at what is happening to apparel fibre prices. Oil prices are quoted from many […]
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 […]