We’re rounding to the typical peak period of lamb yardings and slaughter, but the numbers still haven’t broken above the unseasonal high in supply we saw in October. Those with stock to sell are reaping the benefits with prices broadly healthier this week.
East coast yardings pushed higher again last week, no surprise given the prices on offer. Lamb throughput was over 250K, although this was still lower than the recent high seen in mid-October. It was also still 6% under the five-year seasonal average. Numbers continued to decline in NSW, while in Victoria, lamb yardings were 20% higher than the week before.
Sheep yardings on the east coast were 15% lower than the week before thanks to big drops in volumes in Victoria and NSW. Slaughter numbers for the week ending the 4th of December were also lower week on week.
Lamb slaughter continued to trail 10-12% behind the five-year average. East coast slaughter volumes have been edging lower for the past month now. Last week slaughter was just 1% lower than the week prior, but 9% below the numbers of the same time last year.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) gained 12¢ on the week to 770¢/kg cwt. The spread between NSW and Victoria is about 45¢ which is close to levels this time last year. Trade lambs held firm in the west, with just a 1¢ drop to 673¢/kg cwt. Heavy lambs continued their run up to end at 762¢/kg cwt. The National indicators for Restockers, Merinos, Heavy and Trade lambs all gained 11 – 16¢ on the week prior. Light lambs were the only category to come off softer in all states, particularly in Victoria where prices lost nearly 50 cents.
Mutton prices continued to pull back, loosing 14¢ to end the week at 602¢/kg cwt.
The week ahead….
As reported by Angus Brown earlier in the week, lamb slaughter for the financial year to November hasn’t been far behind last year’s levels, which means it’s not likely that we will see a big flush of lambs appearing in the New Year. What happens with prices will depend on how many processors are booked up over Christmas/New Year, but the rain on the forecast will help.
Despite a decrease in yardings week on week, the tightening of supply was not enough to support prices. Middle East airspace closures impacted demand at
Sheep producers are making way for the winter crop and getting ahead of the upcoming public holiday sales disruption. Close to 250,000 lambs flooded to
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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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Slaughter slows down and prices still healthy
East coast yardings pushed higher again last week, no surprise given the prices on offer. Lamb throughput was over 250K, although this was still lower than the recent high seen in mid-October. It was also still 6% under the five-year seasonal average. Numbers continued to decline in NSW, while in Victoria, lamb yardings were 20% higher than the week before.
Sheep yardings on the east coast were 15% lower than the week before thanks to big drops in volumes in Victoria and NSW. Slaughter numbers for the week ending the 4th of December were also lower week on week.
Lamb slaughter continued to trail 10-12% behind the five-year average. East coast slaughter volumes have been edging lower for the past month now. Last week slaughter was just 1% lower than the week prior, but 9% below the numbers of the same time last year.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) gained 12¢ on the week to 770¢/kg cwt. The spread between NSW and Victoria is about 45¢ which is close to levels this time last year. Trade lambs held firm in the west, with just a 1¢ drop to 673¢/kg cwt. Heavy lambs continued their run up to end at 762¢/kg cwt. The National indicators for Restockers, Merinos, Heavy and Trade lambs all gained 11 – 16¢ on the week prior. Light lambs were the only category to come off softer in all states, particularly in Victoria where prices lost nearly 50 cents.
Mutton prices continued to pull back, loosing 14¢ to end the week at 602¢/kg cwt.
The week ahead….
As reported by Angus Brown earlier in the week, lamb slaughter for the financial year to November hasn’t been far behind last year’s levels, which means it’s not likely that we will see a big flush of lambs appearing in the New Year. What happens with prices will depend on how many processors are booked up over Christmas/New Year, but the rain on the forecast will help.
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Data sources: MLA, 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.