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.
Lambs continue to reclaim the saleyards, with mutton prices remain the beneficiary. With the Easter and the Anzac Day breaks approaching, the top end trade
The March Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Australian Sheep Industry Projections were released on Monday. The projections provide a view on where the sheep supply
First week of autumn saw slight fluctuations in the value of the majority of indicators, yardings retreated, as did some of the buyer’s demand according
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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
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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.
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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.