Sheep and lamb indicators lost significant ground across the board this week, with all national prices closing the week lower. This looks to be on the back of deteriorating quality as the market gets to the tail end of old lambs and waits for a larger influx of new season stock. Also, despite total slaughter dipping last week, sheep slaughter was stronger, indicating processors may be pushing towards mutton due to high prices and the time of year. Prices remain at historically high levels, of course, with all categories except for trade lambs still sitting higher than they were a month ago.
Nationally, the Trade Lamb Indicator finished the week at 1163¢/kg, which was 60¢/kg below seven days prior, and 32¢/kg lower than four weeks earlier. This was despite the throughput for the indicator falling by more than 8000 head. Breaking it down, NSW had three quarters of the national yarding and Wagga Wagga and Forbes in NSW had more than 40% of the total throughput, with both averaging well above the national price at 1225¢/kg and 1201¢/kg respectively.
About 10% of the 40,000 lambs were new season at Forbes, but the National Livestock Reporting Service quoted trade lamb quality as poorer than previous sales, and old season lambs lost $5–$10/head. Quality at Wagga was also described as hit and miss, and while new season lambs made up a higher percentage, there were even fewer yarded there than at Forbes. Ballarat was the only Victorian yard with any number of trade lambs, and quality there was “patchy”, being too early for suckers as of yet. South and Western Australia contributed less than 1000 head each to the indicator.
Restocker and heavy lambs both fell even further than the trade lamb price for the week, down 83¢/kg and 70¢/kg respectively. The restocker price was heavily influenced by big yardings at Katanning and Muchea, WA, being more than 30% of the throughput and averaging 952¢/kg compared to the national average of 981¢/kg. Victoria yarded very few comparatively, and only averaged 814¢/kg, while NSW had the biggest statewide yarding and averaged just shy of 1050¢/kg.
While total sheep and lamb yardings rose by about 2000 head from the previous week, it was all made up of mutton, with the lamb numbers actually dropping by about 400 head. Total slaughter was lower last week, but the sheep kill was up more than 7% from the previous one. The National Mutton Indicator fell 33¢/kg for the week to land at 738¢/kg, with throughput up by more than 11,000 head.
The week ahead….
It will be interesting to watch this week if the drop in prices slows down supply at all, and in turn, we see the market react accordingly. Also, it is not historically unusual for sheep slaughter to start to increase from here all the way to the end of the year. Considering the significant turn-off already this year, we will soon see if there has been enough of a turnaround in the season to not see as significant a rise in sheep throughput as usual, and what sort of upward price pressure the category will gain from restockers.
The latest ABARES outlook for livestock products has sheepmeat production dropping for the 2025–26 financial year, pushing prices higher and potentially boosting global demand even
Total sheep and lamb saleyard throughput fell this week, and so did most price indicators, as plenty of supply, proximity to holiday processor shutdowns, and
The October Sheep Producer Intentions Survey (SPIS) provides some very important information regarding the number of lambs on the ground, the type of lambs, and
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Poor quality puts prices under pressure
Nationally, the Trade Lamb Indicator finished the week at 1163¢/kg, which was 60¢/kg below seven days prior, and 32¢/kg lower than four weeks earlier. This was despite the throughput for the indicator falling by more than 8000 head. Breaking it down, NSW had three quarters of the national yarding and Wagga Wagga and Forbes in NSW had more than 40% of the total throughput, with both averaging well above the national price at 1225¢/kg and 1201¢/kg respectively.
About 10% of the 40,000 lambs were new season at Forbes, but the National Livestock Reporting Service quoted trade lamb quality as poorer than previous sales, and old season lambs lost $5–$10/head. Quality at Wagga was also described as hit and miss, and while new season lambs made up a higher percentage, there were even fewer yarded there than at Forbes. Ballarat was the only Victorian yard with any number of trade lambs, and quality there was “patchy”, being too early for suckers as of yet. South and Western Australia contributed less than 1000 head each to the indicator.
Restocker and heavy lambs both fell even further than the trade lamb price for the week, down 83¢/kg and 70¢/kg respectively. The restocker price was heavily influenced by big yardings at Katanning and Muchea, WA, being more than 30% of the throughput and averaging 952¢/kg compared to the national average of 981¢/kg. Victoria yarded very few comparatively, and only averaged 814¢/kg, while NSW had the biggest statewide yarding and averaged just shy of 1050¢/kg.
While total sheep and lamb yardings rose by about 2000 head from the previous week, it was all made up of mutton, with the lamb numbers actually dropping by about 400 head. Total slaughter was lower last week, but the sheep kill was up more than 7% from the previous one. The National Mutton Indicator fell 33¢/kg for the week to land at 738¢/kg, with throughput up by more than 11,000 head.
The week ahead….
It will be interesting to watch this week if the drop in prices slows down supply at all, and in turn, we see the market react accordingly. Also, it is not historically unusual for sheep slaughter to start to increase from here all the way to the end of the year. Considering the significant turn-off already this year, we will soon see if there has been enough of a turnaround in the season to not see as significant a rise in sheep throughput as usual, and what sort of upward price pressure the category will gain from restockers.
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Data sources: MLA, Mecardo
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Production down, but values still to rise
The latest ABARES outlook for livestock products has sheepmeat production dropping for the 2025–26 financial year, pushing prices higher and potentially boosting global demand even
Mutton market maintains momentum
Total sheep and lamb saleyard throughput fell this week, and so did most price indicators, as plenty of supply, proximity to holiday processor shutdowns, and
Survey marking numbers counter high slaughter rates
The October Sheep Producer Intentions Survey (SPIS) provides some very important information regarding the number of lambs on the ground, the type of lambs, and
Lighter lambs dominate supply as prices decline
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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.
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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.