It’s not only Melbournians that have been released outside the front gate, last week Victorian saleyard throughput figures saw a jump in the number of lambs yarded as the spring flush builds momentum.
Over 200,000 lambs were yarded in the east coast last week. With that being a 56% jump on the week before, it’s no surprise there was so much pressure on price last week. Victoria saw the largest total yardings since June, but with 51,614 head yarded, this was still 32% lower than the same time last year.
Sheep throughput increased by 93% last week, back above levels of the same time last year. Mutton prices bounced from its recent lows but with the National Mutton Indicator down 63¢ since early September, it’s unlikely to be drawing out big numbers. The National Mutton Indicator gained 20¢ to 609¢/kg cwt.
310,618 lambs were processed last week which was a 13.5% jump on the week before. Victoria saw an extra 28,991 lambs head to the meatworks compared to the week prior. Slaughter hasn’t really lifted any higher than the winter lows as yet. We saw a similar situation play out in 2011, where weekly lamb slaughter largely held steady through to Christmas, but we have more lambs to come this year.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator picked up 9¢ over the week to end at 900¢/kg cwt. In the West, the market was generally weaker. The Western Australian Trade Lamb Indicator lost 28¢ to 720¢/kg cwt.
In NSW prices fell across all categories of lamb. Restockers were the hardest hit, dropping 51¢, but they remain the most expensive lambs in the country. Good quality new season lambs in Victoria were met with firm competition. Trade lambs gained 24¢ and restockers lifted 10¢ while merino lambs lost 32¢.
The week ahead….
The lift in prices this week and more widespread rain on the forecast is positive. We will watch for next week’s supply figures but it hints that producers will be willing to slow turnoff to support firmer prices in the short term.
Livestock sectors across the board were impacted by the volatile market conditions and unpredicted weather conditions at the back end of 2023. The sheep industry
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In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
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Release the lambs
Over 200,000 lambs were yarded in the east coast last week. With that being a 56% jump on the week before, it’s no surprise there was so much pressure on price last week. Victoria saw the largest total yardings since June, but with 51,614 head yarded, this was still 32% lower than the same time last year.
Sheep throughput increased by 93% last week, back above levels of the same time last year. Mutton prices bounced from its recent lows but with the National Mutton Indicator down 63¢ since early September, it’s unlikely to be drawing out big numbers. The National Mutton Indicator gained 20¢ to 609¢/kg cwt.
310,618 lambs were processed last week which was a 13.5% jump on the week before. Victoria saw an extra 28,991 lambs head to the meatworks compared to the week prior. Slaughter hasn’t really lifted any higher than the winter lows as yet. We saw a similar situation play out in 2011, where weekly lamb slaughter largely held steady through to Christmas, but we have more lambs to come this year.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator picked up 9¢ over the week to end at 900¢/kg cwt. In the West, the market was generally weaker. The Western Australian Trade Lamb Indicator lost 28¢ to 720¢/kg cwt.
In NSW prices fell across all categories of lamb. Restockers were the hardest hit, dropping 51¢, but they remain the most expensive lambs in the country. Good quality new season lambs in Victoria were met with firm competition. Trade lambs gained 24¢ and restockers lifted 10¢ while merino lambs lost 32¢.
The week ahead….
The lift in prices this week and more widespread rain on the forecast is positive. We will watch for next week’s supply figures but it hints that producers will be willing to slow turnoff to support firmer prices in the short term.
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Data sources: MLA, NLRS, Mecardo
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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.
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock
In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
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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.